Small businesses in 11 Louisiana parishes are now eligible for low-interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Alfred E. Judd, director of the SBA's Disaster Field Operations Center-West, said in a news release Tuesday that the loans can offset economic losses caused by the drought that began June 19.
The eligible parishes are Morehouse, Richland, Union, West Carroll, Caldwell, Claiborne, East Carroll, Franklin, Lincoln, Madison and Ouachita. Three neighboring counties in Arkansas — Ashley, Chicot and Union — also are eligible.
Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA assistance. However, in drought disaster nurseries are eligible for the help.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA's Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela .
The deadline to apply is April 15, 2013.