Disaster loans offered to Idaho businesses, nonprofits, residents affected by wind damage

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans to Idaho businesses, nonprofits, and residents affected by straight-line winds occurring Dec. 16 through 18, 2025. 

The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from Gov. Brad Little on June 5 and the disaster declaration covers Idaho and Shoshone counties. 

Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. 

The deadline to return physical damage applications is Aug. 7. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 8, 2027.

Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars and appliances. 

Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence. 

Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their verified physical damage, for mitigation purposes. 

Eligible mitigation improvements may include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage. 

“Through a rural declaration, SBA provides financial assistance to help rural communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We offer disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofits affected by the disaster.” 

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofit organizations — including faith-based organizations — impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises. 

EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business did not suffer any physical damage. They 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 businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.875% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. 

Interest does not begin to 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 [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance.