The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses, nonprofits, and residents in Oklahoma of the approaching deadline to apply for federal disaster loans. These loans are intended to help offset physical damage from severe weather events that occurred on May 19.
The affected areas include the Oklahoma counties of Atoka, Coal, Haskell, Hughes, Latimer, McIntosh, Pittsburg, and Pushmataha. The deadline for applications is August 5.
Eligible small businesses and nonprofits can apply for business physical disaster loans of up to $2 million. These funds can be used to repair or replace damaged real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory, and other assets.
Homeowners and renters may apply for home and personal property loans. Homeowners can borrow up to $500,000 to repair or replace their primary residence. Renters can borrow up to $100,000 for personal property such as clothing and furniture.
Applicants might also qualify for a loan increase of up to 20% of their verified physical damage costs for mitigation purposes. Eligible improvements include strengthening structures against high winds and installing safe rooms or storm shelters.
Chris Stallings from the SBA's Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience stated: "One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage."
The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available for small businesses and private nonprofit organizations affected by financial losses due to this disaster. However, agricultural producers are not eligible unless they are aquaculture enterprises.
Interest rates vary: 4% for small businesses, 3.62% for private nonprofits, and 2.81% for homeowners and renters. Loan terms can extend up to 30 years with no interest accrual or payments required until one year after the first disbursement.
Applications can be submitted online at sba.gov/disaster or through SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955. Assistance is also available via email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
The deadline for submitting applications related to physical damage is August 5.