The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened a Business Recovery Center in Ruidoso, Lincoln County, New Mexico, to assist businesses and residents affected by severe storms, flooding, and landslides that began on July 23.
Starting Tuesday, July 29, SBA customer service representatives will be available at the center located at Eastern-New Mexico University (ENMU) – Ruidoso, 709 Mechem Dr., to help with disaster loan applications. The center will operate Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can also be scheduled online.
“SBA’s Business Recovery Centers have consistently proven their value to business owners following a disaster,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “Business owners can visit these centers to meet face‑to‑face with specialists who will guide them through the disaster loan application process and connect them with resources to support their recovery.”
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may apply for physical disaster loans up to $2 million for repairs or replacement of real estate, equipment, inventory, or other assets damaged or destroyed by the recent disasters.
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is also available for small businesses—including agricultural cooperatives and nurseries—and private nonprofits such as faith-based organizations that suffered financial losses due to the disaster. However, agricultural producers like farmers or ranchers are not eligible unless they operate small aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs provide working capital even if there was no physical damage; funds can cover fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills resulting from the disaster’s impact.
Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 in loans for primary residence repairs or replacement. Homeowners and renters can borrow up to $100,000 for personal property such as clothing or vehicles lost during the event.
Interest rates are set as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.813% for homeowners and renters. Loans carry terms of up to 30 years; interest does not accrue nor are payments required until one year after disbursement. Eligibility decisions depend on each applicant’s financial situation.
Applications can be submitted online at sba.gov/disaster or by contacting SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or via email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Telecommunications relay services are available by dialing 7-1-1.
The deadline for submitting applications related to physical property damage is September 22, 2025; economic injury applications must be filed by April 22, 2026.
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