The Small Business Association l(SBA) loans are available because the SBA issued disaster declarations in several states affected by the drought.
"We felt it was important to inform businesses such as landscapers, marinas, motels and others that are experiencing a loss of income due to the drought that they can apply for an economic injury disaster loan to help with their working capital needs," said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA Field Operations Center East. "Typically farm related businesses such as produce packagers, implement dealers and suppliers are aware of these disaster loans, but other types of small businesses may not realize they are eligible to apply."
SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to farm-related and nonfarm-related small business concerns and small agricultural cooperatives that suffered economic injury as a direct result of these drought disaster declarations. Farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply to SBA, but nurseries are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions.
Eligible small businesses and small agricultural cooperatives may qualify for loans up to $1.5 million. These loans are available at a 4 percent interest rate with loan terms up to 30 years. SBA determines eligibility for the program based on the size and type of business and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based upon each applicant's financial condition. Under this disaster declaration, SBA cannot provide loans to agricultural producers.
Interested business owners can contact SBA to determine if the drought disaster declaration includes their county by calling SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. (EST). Customer Service Representatives are available to answer questions and can mail the SBA disaster business loan applications. Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA's website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center
Drought
http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/11/203748