WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses
and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Pennsylvania of the April 20 deadline to apply for
low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by excessive heat and
drought that occurred June 17 – July 18, 2024.
The disaster declaration covers the Pennsylvania counties of Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin,
Lancaster and York as well as Maryland counties of Baltimore, Carroll and Harford.
Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to
eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial
losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to
agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if
the small 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.”
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses
and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are
not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan
amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center
at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA
disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability,
please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 20. However, after the deadline
has passed, there is a 60-day grace period in which SBA will accept applications.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business
ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength
of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with
the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from
a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and
partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov
