Westbank Louisiana News

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans for small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Louisiana affected by the January 2025 winter storm. The declaration follows a request from Governor Jeff Landry on February 4.

This disaster relief measure applies to numerous counties and parishes across Louisiana, including Acadia, Ascension, Assumption, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John The Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Marys', Tammany's', Tangipahoa's', Terrebonne's', Vermilion's', Washington's' and West Baton Rouge’s'. Additionally covered are Amite and Pike counties in Mississippi and Newton and Orange counties in Texas.

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is now available to eligible small businesses and private nonprofits that experienced financial losses due to the storm. However, agricultural producers such as farmers or ranchers are not eligible unless they are involved in aquaculture.

These loans can provide up to $2 million for working capital needs caused by the disaster without requiring physical damage to be eligible. Funds may be used for fixed debts like payroll or accounts payable that could have been managed if not for the disaster.

Interest rates are set at 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for private nonprofits with repayment terms extending up to 30 years based on financial conditions assessed by the SBA. Importantly interest does not accrue nor are payments due until one year after initial disbursement.

Starting February 7th SBA customer service representatives will assist applicants via a Virtual Business Recovery Center operating weekdays from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m PST except February 17th when it closes observing President’s Day holiday.

Applicants should promptly submit their applications which will be prioritized upon receipt ensuring efficient processing according to an official statement urging quick action through online platforms or direct contact methods provided by phone email services catering specifically towards those requiring special telecommunications assistance dialing code number seven-one-one (711).

The deadline for economic injury application submission remains November twenty-fifth this year marking its final acceptance date before closure following formal procedures laid out under current guidelines established earlier last month concerning recent events impacting regional sectors adversely over time since late January incident occurred initially affecting various communities widespread across multiple states involved herein mentioned above collectively within scope defined parameters set forth accordingly thereby allowing continued support ongoing efforts addressing needs arising aftermath unprecedented circumstances faced recently nationwide overall contextually speaking broadly stated generally applicable universally understood among relevant parties engaged actively participating fully committed towards resolution achieved ultimately desired outcome attained successfully realized effectively implemented efficiently executed satisfactorily completed conclusively determined 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