SBA tornado disaster-loan deadline is Dec. 15

As a result of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding March 8–13, the SBA is making the loans available in 89 Missouri counties – which also includes Christian, Taney, Lawrence and Webster counties – and 23 counties in neighboring states.

“SBA EIDLs are low-interest loans for up to $1.5 million to help small businesses meet working capital needs caused by the disaster, regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage,” said SBA Region VII Administrator Sam Jones, in a news release. “They are primarily to strengthen recovery in the affected disaster area.”

Interest on the loans is 4 percent, with maturity lengths up to 30 years. The amount of economic injury incurred by a small business is determined by the SBA, and the terms of each loan are based on the circumstances of individual borrowers.

EIDL funds may be used to pay for fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that could have been paid if the disaster had not occurred, according to the SBA.

Information and applications are available online at www.sba.gov.