SBA Offers Drought Relief to Arizona Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits, Up to $2M Loans
Summary
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Economic Injury Disaster Loans for small businesses and private nonprofits in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah counties affected by drought beginning Jan. 1. Loans up to $2 million are available at 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for nonprofits, with terms up to 30 years. Applications must be submitted by Dec. 7.
What changed
SBA announced the availability of Economic Injury Disaster Loans for small businesses and private nonprofits in designated Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah counties following a drought declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Loans up to $2 million are available at rates starting at 3.625% for nonprofits and 4% for small businesses, with terms up to 30 years and no interest accrual for 12 months after the first disbursement.
Affected small businesses and private nonprofits with financial losses from the drought may apply online, by phone, or by email. Agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers are not eligible except for small aquaculture enterprises. The application deadline is Dec. 7, and late applications may be considered if funds remain available.
What to do next
- Apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans at sba.gov/disaster
- Submit completed applications by Dec. 7
- Contact SBA at (800) 659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for assistance
Archived snapshot
Apr 11, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Disaster news release
AZ-20018-01
SBA Offers Relief to Arizona Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought
Low interest disaster loans now available Published on
April 10, 2026
by Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Arizona to offset economic losses caused by drought beginning Jan. 1.
The declaration covers the Arizona counties of Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Maricopa, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yuma as well as the Colorado county of Montezuma, and the New Mexico counties of Catron, Cibola, Grant, Hidalgo, McKinley and San Juan, and the Utah county of San Juan.
Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs — including faith‑based organizations — with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills which could not be paid due to the disaster.
“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA 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 disastercustomerservice@sba.gov 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.
Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Dec. 7.
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, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, 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 www.sba.gov.
Related programs: Disaster
Media contacts
Corey Williams Email corey.williams@sba.gov Phone 916-735-1500
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