The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced that small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Arkansas have until July 7, 2025, to apply for federal disaster loans. These loans are intended to mitigate economic losses caused by hurricanes that occurred between September 12 and October 1, 2024.
The affected regions include several counties in Arkansas—Arkansas, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Jackson, Lee, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Poinsett, Prairie, St. Francis and Woodruff—as well as some counties in Mississippi and Tennessee.
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program offers financial assistance to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofits directly impacted by the disaster. However, agricultural producers such as farmers or ranchers are not eligible unless they are involved in aquaculture.
These loans are designed to cover working capital needs stemming from the disaster. They can be used for expenses such as fixed debts and payroll even if no physical damage was incurred.
Chris Stallings of the SBA stated: “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover. We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”
Loan amounts can reach up to $2 million with interest rates set at 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for private nonprofits. Repayment terms can extend up to 30 years with payments starting a year after the first loan disbursement.
Applications can be submitted online via sba.gov/disaster or through contact with the SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. The deadline for submission is July 7.
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