WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Idaho of the deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by drought.

The disaster declarations cover the counties listed below:

Declaration

Number

Primary

Counties

Neighboring

Counties

Incident Type

Incident Date

Deadline

21214

ID-20015

Clearwater, Idaho, Lemhi, Lewis

and Shoshone

Adams, Benewah, Bonner, Butte, Clark, Custer, Kootenai, Latah, Nez Perce and Valley in Idaho; Beaverhead, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli and Sanders in Montana; Wallowa in Oregon

Drought

July 1, 2025 and continuing

March 16, 2026

21217

ID-20016

Benewah, Latah and Nez Perce

Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Lewis and Shoshone in Idaho; Wallowa in Oregon; Asotin, Spokane and Whitman in Washington

Drought

July 8, 2025 and continuing

March 16, 2026

Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs including faith-based organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small 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 3.625% 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.

Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than March 16. 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.

Originally posted: 09/15/2025
NOTICE - Business Impacted by Sunset Fire may be Eligible for Assistance:

BOISE – The State of Idaho is gathering information from non-farm small businesses and non-profit organizations whose operations were disrupted by the Sunset Fire in Bonner County that began on August 13, 2025. This information will help determine whether impacted entities may be eligible for disaster assistance through low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Bonner County is in close coordination with the Idaho Office of Emergency Management to evaluate the potential for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Declaration through the Small Business Administration. If approved following a disaster declaration request by Governor Brad Little, the program would make low-interest loans available to qualifying small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private non-profit organizations. These loans are intended to help cover ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met due to the disruption caused by the fire.

To request the declaration, the State of Idaho will need five or more qualifying EIDL worksheets from small businesses impacted by the fire. Businesses that have experienced economic losses, whether actual or estimated due to the ongoing fire, are encouraged to submit a worksheet, even if they do not intend to apply for a loan. This information is critical to demonstrate the extent of the economic impact and determine eligibility for federal assistance.

The worksheet may be found on IOEM’s website at ioem.idaho.gov/SBA. Forms can be downloaded and sent by email to jdick@imd.idaho.gov, by fax to 208.422.3044, or mailed directly to:

ATTN: Jarod Dick
4040 Guard St., Bldg. 600
Boise, ID 83705

Please note the EIDL worksheet is not a loan application; it is intended for businesses to report losses so a declaration request may be considered.

Farms and ranches are not eligible for the SBA program.

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Originally posted: 09/15/2025 NOTICE - Business Impacted by Sunset Fire may be Eligible for Assistance:

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Originally posted: 09/15/2025
NOTICE - Business Impacted by Sunset Fire may be Eligible for Assistance: