PRESTON – For Idaho farmers, small businesses, even private nonprofit organizations that have found themselves in trouble due to the 2025 drought, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering help.
The SBA has low interest loans available to offset economic losses caused by the drought beginning July 22, 2025 if applied before the May 18, deadline.
The disaster declaration covers Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin, and other Idaho counties effected by the dry conditions including Lincoln County, Wyoming.
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) is also available to small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and Private Non-Profit groups (PNP) – including faith-based organizations – impacted by 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.
The loans are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and small business or PNP if they 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.”
Those seeking help can borrow up to $2 million, with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs, with terms of up to 30 years.
The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Payments will not be due and interest does not accrue until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement.
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 the SBA no later than May 18. There is however, a 60-day grace period in which SBA will accept applications.