The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved a disaster declaration for six Nebraska counties-Adams, Buffalo, Hall, Hamilton, Howard, and Merrick-in response to severe storms and flooding that struck on June 25-26, 2025. The approval follows a formal request by Governor Jim Pillen, who emphasized the urgency of supporting affected communities.

"This disaster declaration will help businesses and homeowners in the affected communities get the assistance they need to get back on their feet," Pillen said in a statement.

The declaration enables both residents and businesses to apply for a range of low-interest federal loans:

• Business Physical Disaster Loans: Up to $2 million for real estate, machinery, inventory, and equipment repair or replacement.

• Home and Personal Property Loans: Up to $500,000 for homes and $100,000 for personal property like clothing, vehicles, and appliances.

• Mitigation Loans: An additional 20% of verified physical damage may be available for storm-hardening improvements.

The SBA has also opened its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program to eligible small businesses, private nonprofits, agricultural co-ops, and nurseries, offering support for working capital needs such as payroll, debt payments, or monthly bills-regardless of physical damage. Most primary agricultural producers are not eligible for EIDL.

Flexible Terms and Deadlines

Loan terms vary based on the financial condition of applicants. No payments are due until one year after disbursement, and no interest accrues during the first year. Rates may be as low as:

• 4.00% for small businesses

• 3.625% for nonprofits

• 2.813% for homeowners and renters

Key application deadlines are:

• Sept. 26, 2025 for physical damage loans

• April 28, 2026 for economic injury loans

In-Person Assistance Available

Starting Wednesday at noon, SBA customer service representatives will assist applicants at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Grand Island, located at 1210 N. North Road. The center will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Walk-ins are accepted, though appointments are encouraged.

"When disasters strike, SBA's Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play a vital role in helping small businesses and their communities recover," said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the SBA Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience.

Applications can be submitted online at sba.gov/disaster or by contacting the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.