SBA Relief Still Available to Wisconsin Businesses, Private Nonprofits, and Residents Affected by Adverse Weather

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding eligible businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters in Wisconsin of the Aug. 31 deadline to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding occurring April 13 - 23.

The declaration covers the primary Wisconsin counties of Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Manitowoc, Marathon, Milwaukee, Outagamie, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Winnebago, and the Oneida Nation which are eligible for both physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Wisconsin counties of Adams, Ashland, Calumet, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Douglas, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Langlade, Lincoln, Monroe, Oconto, Ozaukee, Pepin, Portage, Richland, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Trempealeau, Walworth, Washburn, Waushara, and Wood, Illinois counties of Boone, Lake, McHenry, and Winnebago, and the Iowa county of Allamakee, as well as the Minnesota counties of Houston, Wabasha, and Winona.

Businesses and private nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.

"One distinct advantage of SBA's disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage," said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at SBA. "I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA's mitigation loans."

Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.875% for homeowners and renters, with terms of up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. SBA determines eligibility and 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 [email protected] 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.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Aug. 31. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 30, 2027. 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, SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or 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 https://www.sba.gov.