SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) encourages small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations in Alaska with economic losses due severe storm, flooding and landslides in both rural and non-rural areas of the Southeast Island Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) that occurred Nov. 20, 2023 are reminded to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) before the Jan. 27, 2025, deadline.
This SBA Rural Disaster declaration makes assistance available to both rural and non-rural areas of the Southeast Island REAA in Alaska.
Under this declaration, the SBA’s EIDL program is available to eligible entities that experienced financial losses directly caused by the disaster. EIDLs provide working capital to address the economic impact of the disaster and are available even if the business did not incur physical damage. Loan proceeds may be used to cover fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other financial obligations that could have been met if the disaster had not occurred.
“Working capital loans from the SBA are essential to eligible small businesses affected by the incident,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans help sustain local economies when a disaster occurs.”
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms, based on each applicant’s financial condition.
SBA’s Disaster Loan Program funding was replenished via the American Relief Act, 2025, which was signed into law on Dec. 21, 2024. The SBA acted immediately and, within six hours of the Act being signed into law, issued more than 21,000 outstanding commitment letters (loan offers). The SBA will continue to issue new loan offers and ensure survivors quickly understand their loan options.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly, prior to the deadline.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
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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.