By KENNEDY GRIFFIN
(Franklin County, MA) Many local farms and other businesses suffered losses due to the extreme weather this summer. The US Small Business Association has announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available in response to the excessive heat and drought in the region that began May 9th of this year.
Eligible businesses include small businesses both farm and non-farm related, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and nonprofit organizations in Franklin, Berkshire, Worcester, Hampden and Hampshire counties. Loans may be applied for up to $2 million to pay debt, payroll, and other bill directly related to losses from the drought.
“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities, affected by the same disaster,” said Kem Fleming, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East.