SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Deadline Approaching

February 27, 2004

Businesses in some Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma counties have until March 15, 2004 to file applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available for businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers sustaining crop losses due to drought that began in September 2000, and continuing.

Farmers and ranchers are not eligible for these SBA loans. However, nurseries that are victims of drought disasters can apply. Businesses in the following Colorado counties are eligible to apply: Kiowa, Bent, Cheyenne, Lincoln, Prowers, Otero, Kit Carson, Las Animas, Baca, Arapahoe, Crowley, Douglas, El Paso, Elbert, Pueblo and Washington.

Applications and further information can be obtained by calling the SBA toll-free at 1-800-366-6303 or TDD 817-267-4688 for the hearing impaired. These loans are intended to assist businesses in offsetting working capital losses which they suffered as a result of the severe weather reducing the crop income of the area farmers and ranchers. Small businesses claiming to have been physically injured by the disaster are not eligible.