Disaster loan deadline fast approaching for Southern Utah businesses affected by crippling drought

Stock image, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Small businesses and nonprofits affected by this year’s severe drought conditions are eligible for low-interest federal loans to help offset any economic loss caused by the drought, as long as they apply within the next month.

Loans are being offered to businesses operating in a wide area of the U.S. southwest, including three Southern Utah counties. The deadline to apply for a loan is Nov. 8.

Map shows drought severity in the continental U.S. as of Oct. 2, 2018 | Image courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, St. George News

Droughts are among the most costly weather related events and the most far reaching. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, from 1980–2014, there were 22 drought events across the U.S. with losses exceeding $1 billion each.

Drought conditions in Southern Utah have ranged from severely dry to exceptionally dry due in large part to last year’s abysmally low snowpack. Some areas in southeastern Utah have even declared drought emergencies as a result of this year’s dry conditions.

In Utah, businesses in Washington, Kane and San Juan counties may apply for the loans. Regionally, businesses in Mohave and Coconino counties in Arizona and Clark and Lincoln counties in Nevada may apply.

Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may apply for economic injury disaster loans of up to $2 million.

The interest rate is 3.385 percent for businesses and 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

“Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact,” Tanya Garfield, director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West, said in a news release issued Thursday.

“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster,” Garfield said. “Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the applicant suffered any property damage.”

Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for the Small Business Administration’s disaster assistance, though nurseries are eligible for assistance in drought disasters. Agricultural enterprises should instead contact the Farm Services Agency about assistance made available by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Applications for the disaster relief loans may be completed online at the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan assistance website. Applicants may also call 800-659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call 800-877-8339.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.

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1 Comment

  • utahdiablo October 5, 2018 at 10:16 pm

    The funny thing here is the so called “Disaster” is being Man Made at least at our Washington County school district…the Coral Canyon elementary school is the worst, with that school being on straight from the tap culinary water ( look it up if you don’t believe ) to water the schools lawns and field, all during the peak hours ( hottest ) of the day and broken rain bird heads allowing 1,000’s of gallons of water to run straight down the drain eachday, but hey, I tried to call the school, the school district, and the Washington county water department along with the city…they could care less as nothing is ever done to correct this…

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