WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Florida of the Jan. 5 deadline to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought and excessive heat that occurred on March 11. 

The disaster declaration covers the counties of Clay, Alachua, Bradford, Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Flagler, Glades, Hendry, Hernando, Lake, Lee, Levy, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, and Volusia. 

Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises. 

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster, even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster. 

“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said 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.”