Deadline is August 29 for area disaster loans

8/3/2005

Small businesses that work with farmers must apply by Aug. 29 for federal disaster loans if their business was hurt last year by severe weather, the U.S. Small Business Administration said yesterday.

Businesses in Lucas, Fulton, and Williams counties were chosen for help because they are adjacent to Michigan, where heavy rain, hail, high wind, and flooding occurred in April, 2004. Michigan was declared a disaster area for farmers.

Eligible businesses can qualify for low-interest loans of up to $1.5 million. Those interested should write to the SBA Disaster Area 2 Office at One Baltimore Place, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA.; call 1-800-359-2227; or visit the agency's Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster.