The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in North Dakota to offset economic losses caused by drought beginning April 15.

The declaration includes the North Dakota counties of Billings, Burke, Burleigh, Divide, Dunn, Golden Valley, McHenry, McKenzie, McLean, Mercer, Mountrail, Oliver, Sheridan, Slope, Stark, Ward and Williams.

Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and nonprofits with 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.

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or nonprofit did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

Apply online or call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. 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 SBA no later than Dec. 22.