ATLANTA - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that federal Economic injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available in Georgia for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations with economic losses due to tornado, high winds, hail, lightning and excessive rain that began on 05/12/2023 through 06/26/2023.
The declaration includes Atkinson, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Evans, Grady, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Sumter, Tattnall, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Ware and Worth counties; the adjacent counties of Appling, Bacon, Baker, Ben Hill, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Candler, Charlton, Clay, Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Emanuel, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Liberty, Long, Macon, Marion, Pierce, Randolph, Schley, Seminole, Telfair, Toombs, Turner, Wayne and Webster in Georgia; Henry and Houston in Alabama; and Baker, Columbia, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jefferson, Leon and Madison in Florida.
“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities, affected by the same disaster,” said Ed Fears, acting director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East.
Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. Apart from aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4% for small businesses and
2.375% for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement. Eligibility is based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration # 18139.
Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services), or sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than May 6, 2024.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.