SBA Drought Relief Still Available to Kansas Businesses:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit organizations (PNP) in Kansas of the Feb. 10, 2025 deadline to submit disaster loan applications for economic losses caused by drought that began on May 28, 2024.

The disaster declaration includes the primary counties of Finney, Ford, and Kearny, as well as the adjacent counties of Clark, Edwards, Grant, Gray, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kiowa, Lane, Meade, Ness, Scott, Stanton, and Wichita.

Under this declaration, the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. The SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage.

Eligibility is based on the size of the business, 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.

"When farmers face crop losses and a disaster is declared by the secretary of agriculture, SBA working capital loans become a lifeline for eligible small businesses," said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. "These loans are the backbone that helps rural communities bounce back and thrive after a disaster strikes."

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months after 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 Feb. 10, 2025, deadline.

To apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] 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.

###

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.

Related programs: Disaster

Email [email protected]