Small businesses and nonprofits in Hamilton County, including those along the Princeton corridor in Sharonville, Evendale and Springdale, can apply for federal disaster loans to cover losses from the severe storms that swept the region Aug. 11-14.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) opened Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications for the county after a presidential disaster declaration for Indiana on Aug. 25 made adjacent counties eligible, the Cincinnati Enquirer first reported, citing a Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (HCEMA) announcement.

The loans do not require physical damage to a building or property. They cover working-capital shortfalls caused by the disaster, including fixed debts, payroll and accounts payable.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants include small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses and most private nonprofit organizations, including faith-based groups, according to the HCEMA announcement.

The Aug. 11 storms knocked out power to more than 174,000 Duke Energy customers across the Tri-State, Fox 19 reported. The system produced at least three confirmed tornadoes, flash flooding and straight-line winds reaching 99 mph in parts of Indiana, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

"I will do everything in my power to ensure Hoosiers have the resources needed to recover," Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said Aug. 21, when he requested the federal disaster declaration that triggered Hamilton County's eligibility.

Hamilton County did not need to meet a separate damage threshold to qualify. The county's eligibility flows automatically from its adjacency to Indiana counties covered by the federal declaration.

Loan terms

Interest rates start at 4% for businesses, with terms as long as 30 years, according to Fox 59. Borrowers do not accrue interest until 12 months after funds are disbursed and are not required to make payments during that first year.

HCEMA Director Nick Crossley's agency posted additional storm-impact information and an SBA fact sheet at hamiltoncountyohio.gov.

How to apply

Applications are open at sba.gov/disaster. Business owners can also call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email [email protected]. Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability may dial 711 for relay services.

The deadline to submit an EIDL application is May 25, 2027.