(KLZA) Small, nonfarm businesses in 15 Nebraska counties and neighboring counties in Kansas and Missouri are now eligible to apply for low interest federal disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by the drought, excessive heat and high winds that began March 1, 2012, in the following primary counties.

Primary Nebraska counties: Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Pawnee, Richardson and Thayer;

Neighboring Nebraska counties include, Otoe County.

Neighboring Kansas counties: Brown, Doniphan, Jewell, Marshall, Nemaha, Republic and Washington;

Neighboring Missouri counties: Atchison and Holt.

  SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster.

  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 (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

These loans have an interest rate of 4% for businesses and 3% for private, nonprofit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years, and are available to small businesses and most private, nonprofits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship. 

  Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance.  Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency (FSA) about the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assistance made available by the Secretary's declaration.  However, in drought disasters nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.  

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA's Customer Service Center by calling SBA toll-free at (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.  Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

  The deadline to apply for these loans is April 22, 2013.