10/16/2026
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of low- interest federal disaster loans for Indiana businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flash flooding occurring June 6 – 26. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to an Oct. 9 request received from Governor Mike Braun.
The declaration covers the Indiana counties of Clark, Crawford, Dubois, Elkhart, Floyd, Gibson, Harrison, Jasper, Jefferson, Jennings, Knox, Kosciusko, Lagrange, Lake, Marshall, Newton, Noble, Pike, Porter, Posey, Ripley, Scott, Spencer, St. Joseph, Switzerland, Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Washington, the Illinois counties of Cook, Kankakee, Wabash, White, and Will, the Kentucky counties of Carroll, Daviess, Hardin, Henderson, Jefferson, Meade, and Trimble, as well as the Michigan counties of Cass and St. Joseph, which are eligible for both physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from SBA.
Businesses and private 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.
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 physical damage, as verified by SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements 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.
“When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers perform an important role by assisting small businesses and their communities,” said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery at SBA. “At these centers, our specialists help business owners and residents apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to support their recovery.”
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofits — 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 business 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.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for private nonprofits, and 3.00% 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 determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Beginning today, Oct. 16, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Harrison, Gibson, Jefferson, and Elkhart counties to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help individuals complete their application. Walk-ins are welcome, and you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.
The hours of operation are listed below:
ELKHART COUNTY
Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Elkhart County Emergency Management Agency
26861 Co. Rd. 26 Bldg. D
Elkhart, IN 46517
Opens at noon, Monday, Oct. 19
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Closes permanently at 4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 30
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call National Support Network Center at (866) SBA-HELP or email [email protected] 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.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Dec. 8. The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 9, 2027.
