Grassley: 31 Counties Eligible for Economic Disaster Assistance


? Sen. Chuck Grassley said the U.S. Small Business Administration has made 31 Iowa counties eligible for low-interest economic injury disaster loans. The loans are available to small businesses who lost substantial income because of the severe storms and flooding that occured between June 3 and June 25.

The 31 counties eligible to apply for this assistance are: Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Cedar, Chickasaw, Clayton, Clinton, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fayette, Henry, Howard, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine, Poweshiek, Scott, Tama, Van Buren, Washington and Winneshiek.

"Many small businesses in Eastern Iowa were hit hard economically by the bad weather in June. These loans can help small businesses meet their obligations so that they are not another victim of the storms that struck these communities," Grassley said.

The loans are to help businesses meet installments on long-term debt, accounts payable and overhead expenses that would have been met if the disaster not occurred. Loans are available for up to $1,500,000 for actual disaster-related financial needs of businesses. Interest rates are 3.50 percent and terms may extend to 30 years.