SBA offers disaster assistance for businesses impacted by fires

This year's fires damaged considerable natural resources and impacted some businesses, for which the SBA is not offering disaster assistance.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering disaster assistance to Idaho businesses that were economically impacted by the Beaver Creek and Elk Complex fires last month, Sen. James E. Risch (R-ID), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced today. T

he SBA's disaster declaration makes small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most non-profit organizations in Blaine County, and the neighboring counties of Bingham, Butte, Camas, Cassia, Custer, Elmore, Lincoln, Minidoka and Power eligible for federal economic injury disaster loans.

According to the SBA, customer service representatives will be on hand at Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Hailey and Mountain Home beginning Thursday, Sept. 26, to help small businesses impacted by the fires.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million are available to eligible businesses and non-profit organizations to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses as they overcome the temporary loss of revenue experienced as a result of the fires.

Applicants may apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Additional information about eligibility and loan terms may be found at www.sba.gov/disaster.