The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding businesses in Florida that working capital loans are still available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in agriculture and private nonprofit organizations affected by Hurricane Matthew Oct. 3-19.
“Businesses that suffered economic losses as a result of the disaster and want to apply for low-interest loans from the SBA are urged to do so before the July 17 deadline,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA Field Operations Center East.
Low-interest disaster loans are available in the following counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Lake, Marion, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Putnam, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Seminole and Volusia in Florida; and Camden and Charlton in Georgia.
Working capital disaster loans up to $2 million are available at 4 percent for small businesses, and 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. The loans are intended to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. To be considered for this assistance, eligible entities need to apply by the deadline.
Businesses may apply online using the electronic loan application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Businesses may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster.
