The Small Business Administration announced that certain businesses can apply for a low-interest disaster loan. Edward Haddock, the SBA District Director released the following guide:
Dear Arkansans,
SBA has approved Disaster Declaration #16372 Arkansas Disaster number AR-00109 as a statewide declaration for small business affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19). Effective date 1/31/2020.
Businesses located in all counties in Arkansas can apply at https://disasterloan.sba.
Who can apply?
- In order to be eligible, you must be a small business (500 employees or less).
- Arkansas small businesses affected by the disaster – common eligible businesses include: retailers, restaurants, recreational facilities, tourism-based businesses, manufacturers, owners of rental property, hotels, wholesalers, and many more.
- Private nonprofits
- Small agriculture cooperatives are eligible, but agricultural enterprises are not
- Small aquaculture businesses
How to Apply?
- Paper applications are accepted, it’s easier to file electronically, faster and more accurate. Apply here .
How can the loan be used?
- The loans are for working capital which includes fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that can’t be paid due to the disaster’s impact. It does not cover lost sales.
How much can I apply for?
- You will not be asked how much you would like to borrow. The SBA uses the information you provide to determine the loan amount. Small businesses can receive a secured loan up to $2 million, and an unsecured loan up to $25,000.
Gather Your Materials -
- Business information
- Contact information and social security numbers for all applicants
- Employer Identification Number (EIN) for business applicants
- Insurance information
- Financial information (e.g. income, account balances and monthly expenses) – Know the total amounts and payments due for debts that will be paid over the next 10 months or longer (i.e. mortgages, student loans, credit cards, etc.)
Other key information:
- Use Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox to apply.
- The ‘Help Button’ provides useful information for each page.
- Use the ‘Save Button’ frequently.
- Be patient and keep trying if you experience slow load times.
What’s next? What should you expect?
- You will receive email confirmation that your application has been submitted
- You will receive an email letting you know that your application is under review.
- BE PREPARED: You will be contacted by someone from the SBA
- Have your monthly expenses and financial projections ready (the ASBTDC can help with this!)
To help support our small business community, SBA has created a small business resource page dedicated to COVID-19 at SBA.gov/Coronavirus. Here you will find CDC requirements for small businesses how to access SBA loan products outside of EIDL and much, much more.
Additionally, SBA’s Arkansas network of resource partners stand ready to assist small businesses across the state. These partners are seeing clients virtually to assist in minimizing impact exposure to COVID-19 and protect our small business communities.
- Arkansas Small Business & Technology Development Center
- SCORE – Counselors and Mentors for America’s Small Businesses
- Arkansas Women’s Business Center
- Startup Junkie Consulting
- AR Conductor
- Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center – Contracting Assistance
Please check out the statewide event calendar at https://www.sba.gov/offices/
Please sign up and encourage your businesses to sign up for direct updates from SBA at SBA Updates. We will send SBA updates twice daily from this distribution list.
And finally, for a list of all the SBA partners and organizations that your small business may need such as Chamber of Commerce, SBA Lenders and State Office check out our statewide Resource Guide.
My team and I stand ready and dedicated to helping support the small businesses of Arkansas. Please feel free to contact us at 501-324-7379 or at the contact number below.
Sincerely,
Edward Haddock
SBA District Director
For additional information on disaster assistance, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.
Visit SBA.gov/disaster for more information.findeastereggs