Small Business Administration Offers Disaster Relief to Florida Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Recent Freezes

OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Florida who sustained economic losses caused by frost and freeze occurring Jan. 23–Feb. 5, 2026.

The disaster declaration covers the Florida counties of Alachua, Bradford, Broward, Charlotte,
Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Desoto, Dixie, Flagler, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton,
Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty,
Madison, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, Putnam, St. Johns, St.
Lucie, Suwannee, Taylor, Volusia and Wakulla as well as the Georgia counties of Brooks,
Grady, Lowndes and Thomas.

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to
eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with 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 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 percent for small businesses and 3.625 percent 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.

The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 4.