SBA announces low-interest federal disaster loans due to drought

CHEYENNE (WNE)  — The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota and Wyoming to offset economic losses caused by drought beginning April 1.

The declaration covers the Wyoming counties of Goshen, Laramie and Niobrara.

Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofits — including faith-based organizations — 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 small business or PNP 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.

The loan amount can be 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. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months after 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.

Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Dec. 15.

This story was published on April 25, 2026.