Information provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses economically impacted by the Greenwood neighborhood natural gas explosion that occurred on March 9, 2016, SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet announced today. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster following a request received on April 29, from Gov. Jay Inslee.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Chelan, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Pierce, Snohomish and Yakima counties.

“The U.S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer‑focused response possible to assist Washington’s small businesses with federal disaster loans. We will be swift in our efforts to help these small businesses recover from the financial impacts of this disaster,” said Administrator Contreras-Sweet.

“Small, nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred,” said SBA’s Seattle District Director Nancy Porzio.

“These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing,” Porzio added.

Eligibility is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 4 percent for small businesses and 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years, and are restricted to small businesses without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.

The Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering free, personalized consulting to help affected businesses in their recovery. Businesses owners may contact the SBDC from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. by telephone at (509) 358-7765.

Applicants may apply online using SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. For more disaster assistance information or to download applications, visit https://www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The deadline to apply for economic injury is Feb. 3, 2017.