SBA Relief Still Available to Arkansas Businesses and Residents Affected by April Storms and Flooding

Strategic Insights -

Eligible businesses, nonprofits, and residents in Arkansas have until September 22 to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred between April 2 and 22. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering these loans to help those affected recover from the disaster.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SBA is providing low-interest disaster loans to eligible businesses, nonprofits, and residents in Arkansas, with a deadline to apply of September 22.
  • Businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, and equipment.
  • Homeowners and renters can borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances.
  • Homeowners can also apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
  • Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind-rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter.
  • The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations.
  • The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for PNPs, and 2.75% for homeowners and renters.
  • The deadline to return physical damage applications is September 22, 2025, and the deadline to return economic injury applications is April 22, 2026.

Statistics:

  • The deadline to apply for low-interest disaster loans is September 22.
  • Businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million.
  • Homeowners and renters can borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property.
  • Homeowners can apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
  • Interest rates for businesses, PNPs, and homeowners and renters are 4%, 3.625%, and 2.75% respectively.
  • The maximum loan term is 30 years.
  • The deadline to return physical damage applications is September 22, 2025.
  • The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 22, 2026.

Sources:

  • United States Small Business Administration (SBA). "SBA Relief Still Available to Arkansas Businesses, Nonprofits and Residents Affected by April Storms and Flooding." August 22, 2025. https://www.sba.gov/article/2025/08/22/sba-relief-still-available-arkansas-businesses-nonprofits-residents-affected-april-storms-flooding
  • United States Small Business Administration (SBA). "About the U.S. Small Business Administration." https://www.sba.gov/about-sba