MEDIA RELEASE: Hawai`i Emergency Management Agency Reminds Kaua`i Residents That Deadline is Approaching for SBA Working Capitol Loans Due to Drought
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency
DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR
MAJOR GENERAL KENNETH S. HARA
DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
LUKE P. MEYERS
ADMINISTRATOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West today reminded Hawai`i small nonfarm businesses in Kauai County of the July 13, 2021, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury. These low interest loans are to offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought that began Sept. 22, 2020.
According to Garfield, small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.
“Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact,” said Garfield.
“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the applicant suffered any property damage,” Garfield added.
The interest rate is 3 % for businesses and 2.75 % for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
By law, SBA makes Economic Injury Disaster Loans available when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. The Secretary declared this disaster on Nov. 13, 2020.
“We encourage all businesses directly affected by the drought that began in September 2020 to apply for SBA assistance. If applicants have existing SBA loans, they should speak to an SBA representative about possible considerations,” Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Resilience Branch Chief Lorinda Wong Lau, said.
Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration. However, nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance in drought disasters.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
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Contact:
Douglas Carroll
Public Information Officer
[email protected]
808-285-1516
Hollie Reina
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
808-620-5423
For latest information the HI-EMA go to: https://www.ready.hawaii.gov