NSI Community|Small business disaster loan program said to be in danger of running out of funds by end of month

2025-05-06 20:05:26source:Cassian Grantcategory:Finance

NEW YORK (AP) — The NSI CommunitySmall Business Administration could run out of money to fund disaster loans in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation.

As is typical after a disaster, the government is offering aid to small businesses that were in Helene’s path. The SBA is offering disaster loans for small businesses in some counties in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

But President Joe Biden said in a letter to Congress Friday that aid could run out “ in a matter of weeks ” if more federal funding is not approved. And now another hurricane, Milton, is bearing down on Florida,

In a statement, the SBA said that it will continue sharing information about its disaster loan programs and assisting borrowers with initial processing and servicing loans. But if funding lapses, all new offers would be held back and delayed until program funding is replenished.

“We look forward to working with Congress to secure the federal resources necessary to ensure the SBA can continue funding affordable disaster loans for homeowners, renters, small businesses, and nonprofits,” said U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “Americans should not have to wait for critical assistance when they need it the most.”

RELATED COVERAGE Tampa Bay hasn’t been hit directly by a major hurricane since 1921. Milton may be the oneHarris calls Trump ‘incredibly irresponsible’ for spreading misinformation about Helene responseJudges who cut Pogba’s doping ban say he should have taken more care about his treatment in Florida

As it stands, business owners can apply for two different types of disaster loans. Business physical disaster loans are for repairing or replacing disaster-damaged property, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible. Businesses have until the end of November to apply for these loans.

Economic injury disaster loans are working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations meet financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of a disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period. The deadline for these loans is June 30, 2025.

Businesses can access loans up to $2 million. Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses and 3.25% for nonprofit organizations.

The SBA also offers disaster loans up to $500,000 to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property.

Business owners can apply for these loans at https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/. And more information can be found at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/hurricane-helene.

States are offering their own assistance programs too. For example, the Florida Department of Commerce is offering the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $15 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Eligible small businesses may apply for loans of up to $50,000 through the program.

More:Finance

Recommend

Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15

NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto will be introduced by the New York Mets at Citi Field on Thursday, a day a

Biden visits site of Baltimore bridge collapse

President Biden is visiting Baltimore Friday in a show of support after the collapse of the Francis

How strong is a 4.8 earthquake? Quake magnitudes explained.

The 4.8 magnitude earthquake that struck New Jersey Friday generated shaking that could be felt from