Small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Berks County and several surrounding counties may be eligible for federal disaster loans following drought conditions that began in May.
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to eligible organizations impacted by drought beginning May 12.
Eligible applicants include small businesses, private nonprofits and faith-based organizations, small agricultural cooperatives and nurseries, and small aquaculture enterprises.
The loans are intended to provide working capital to help organizations cover operating expenses affected by the drought. Eligible applicants may receive up to $2 million, with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for private nonprofit organizations.
Loan terms may extend up to 30 years. According to the SBA, interest does not accrue and payments are not required during the first 12 months following disbursement.
In Pennsylvania, the assistance is available in Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia and Schuylkill counties. Organizations in New Castle County, Delaware, and Burlington, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer and Warren counties in New Jersey are also eligible.
Applications can be submitted through the SBA’s disaster assistance program at sba.gov/disaster. The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is April 13, 2027.
Applicants with questions may contact the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.