NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY & RESILIENCE

Release Date: Oct. 29, 2025           Contact: Karen.Knapik@sba.gov
Release Number: 26-024, TN 21026      Follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn & Instagram
SBA Relief Still Available to Tennessee Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Autumn 
Drought Deadline to apply for economic injury loans approaching

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private 
nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Tennessee of the Nov. 28 deadline to apply for low interest 
federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought occurring Aug. 1- Dec. 1, 
2024.
The disaster declaration covers the counties of Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Hickman, Marshall, 
Maury, Rutherford and Williamson.
Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small 
businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs 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 not paid due to the disaster.
“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial 
assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the 
Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small 
businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 
3.25% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 
12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based 
on each applicant’s financial condition.
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. 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 Nov. 28, 2025. However, after the deadline 
has passed, there is a 60-day grace period in which SBA will accept applications.


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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the 
only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal 
government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support 
they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It 
delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public
and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.