The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans for small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Nebraska affected by drought conditions that began on April 1. This measure aims to offset economic losses caused by the ongoing drought.
The declaration includes numerous counties in Nebraska: Arthur, Banner, Blaine, Boone, Boyd, Brown, Buffalo, Butler, Cherry, Cheyenne, Colfax, Custer, Dawson, Deuel, Frontier, Garden, Gosper, Grant, Hayes, Holt, Hooker, Keith, Keya Paha, Kimball, Lincoln, Logan, Loup, Madison, McPherson, Merrick Nance Perkins Phelps Platte Polk Rock Stanton and Thomas. It also covers parts of Colorado—Logan Sedgewick Weld—and Wyoming's Laramie County.
Through this declaration under SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program small businesses small agricultural cooperatives nurseries and private nonprofits experiencing financial losses directly related to the disaster are eligible for assistance. However agricultural producers farmers or ranchers are not eligible except for small aquaculture enterprises.
These EIDLs can be used for working capital needs arising from the disaster even if no physical damage was incurred. The loans can cover fixed debts payroll accounts payable and other expenses that remain unpaid due to the drought.
"Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover," stated Chris Stallings associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. "We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters."
Eligible applicants may receive up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.62% for private nonprofits with terms extending up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue nor are payments required until one year after the first loan disbursement date. Loan amounts and terms will be determined based on each applicant’s financial situation.
Applications can be submitted online at sba.gov/disaster or through contact with SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or via email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. For individuals who are deaf hard of hearing or have a speech disability telecommunications relay services can be accessed by dialing 7-1-1.
Completed loan applications must be submitted by February 2 2026.