The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans for Missouri businesses, nonprofits, and residents affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding that occurred from November 3 to 9, 2024. This announcement follows a disaster declaration issued in response to a request from Governor Mike Kehoe on February 14, 2025.
Pulaski County is covered under this disaster declaration. Businesses and nonprofits can apply for business physical disaster loans up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other assets. Homeowners and renters may apply for home and personal property loans up to $100,000 for personal items such as clothing and furniture. Homeowners can also apply for up to $500,000 to repair or replace their primary residence.
Additionally, applicants might qualify for a loan increase of up to 20% of their verified physical damages for mitigation purposes. Eligible improvements include strengthening structures against high wind damage and installing storm shelters.
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations that suffered financial losses due to the disaster. These loans provide working capital even if no physical damage occurred.
Loan amounts can reach $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.563% for homeowners and renters over terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue until one year after the first disbursement.
A virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) has been set up by the SBA where customer service representatives will assist with questions about the loan program and application process during weekdays from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m PT via email at FOCWAssistance@sba.gov or phone at (916) 735-1531.
Applicants are encouraged by the SBA to submit their applications promptly as they will be prioritized based on receipt order. Applications can be submitted online at SBA.gov/disaster or through contact with SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
The deadline for returning applications related to physical damage is April 21, 2025; economic injury applications must be returned by November 18, 2025.
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