SBA Deadline Nears for Florida Drought Relief Loans – Don’t Miss Out on Vital Working Capital Assistance

ATLANTA - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations that Nov. 25 is the filing deadline for federal working capital loans in Florida for losses due to drought conditions that began on Dec. 1, 2023.

"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."

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. Nurseries are eligible to apply for EIDLs for losses caused by drought conditions.

Low-interest disaster loans are available in the counties of Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota in Florida. 

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4 percent for small businesses and 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources.  Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, account payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. 

On October 15, 2024, it was announced that funds for the Disaster Loan Program have been fully expended. While no new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding, we remain committed to supporting disaster survivors. Applications will continue to be accepted and processed to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.

For more information and to apply online visit SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 6592955 or email [email protected] for 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.

Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Nov. 25, 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.

Related programs: Disaster

Email [email protected]