(Radio Iowa) – Small businesses that are being impacted by the drought in 11 northwestern Iowa counties can now apply for low-interest federal disaster loans from the U-S Small Business Administration. S-B-A spokesman Mark Randle there’s a wide range of businesses that are now eligible for the help.

Small businesses that qualify for the Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be able to get up to two-million dollars to help meet their financial obligations.

Randle says eligibility for the loans is only based on the financial impact of the disaster and not on property damage. The loans have an interest rate of just under three-percent for businesses and under-two-percent for private nonprofits.

The 11 counties covered under the program are: Buena Vista, Calhoun, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Humboldt, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Kossuth, Sac and Webster. The deadline to apply is April 17, 2023. Applicants may apply online at: https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/