Loans available for small businesses impacted in flooding last April – WHAS11

Report on SBA Loan Assistance for Kentucky Businesses Affected by April 2025 Flooding

Introduction

In response to the severe flooding that occurred in Kentucky between April 2-15, 2025, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened applications for critical disaster loans. These loans aim to support businesses in over 20 counties as they recover from the economic impact of the floods.

Background and Context

Nearly nine months after days of heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding across Kentucky, affected local businesses now have access to financial assistance. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is designed to help small businesses and private nonprofit organizations (PNPs) manage fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other disaster-related expenses.

SBA Disaster Loan Program Details

• The SBA, through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, provides essential financial support to communities impacted by natural disasters.
• Eligible applicants include small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations with direct financial losses from the flooding.
• Agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers are generally excluded from this loan program, except for aquaculture enterprises.

Counties Covered by the Disaster Declaration

The following Kentucky counties are eligible for SBA disaster loan assistance:

1. Anderson
2. Breckinridge
3. Campbell
4. Carroll
5. Daviess
6. Fayette
7. Franklin
8. Gallatin
9. Grant
10. Hancock
11. Henderson
12. Henry
13. Hopkins
14. Jessamine
15. Kenton
16. McLean
17. Mercer
18. Muhlenberg
19. Nelson
20. Ohio
21. Owen
22. Pendleton
23. Scott
24. Shelby
25. Spencer
26. Washington
27. Webster
28. Woodford

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This disaster loan initiative supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• SDG 1: No Poverty – By providing financial assistance to small businesses and nonprofits, the program helps prevent economic hardship and supports livelihoods.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The loans enable businesses to maintain payroll and operations, fostering economic resilience and job retention.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Supporting recovery efforts contributes to building resilient communities capable of withstanding future disasters.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The collaboration between federal agencies and local communities exemplifies effective partnerships for sustainable development.

Conclusion and Further Information

The SBA’s disaster loan program represents a critical step in aiding Kentucky’s recovery from the April 2025 flooding, emphasizing sustainable economic recovery aligned with global development goals. Businesses and nonprofits in the affected counties are encouraged to apply promptly to access these resources.

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1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses financial assistance to small businesses and nonprofits affected by flooding, aiming to reduce economic hardship.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Supporting small businesses to recover and maintain payroll supports sustained economic growth and decent work opportunities.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The focus on disaster recovery and resilience in multiple Kentucky counties relates to building sustainable and resilient communities.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action – The article addresses recovery from flooding, a climate-related disaster, highlighting the need for disaster resilience and adaptation.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 1 – Target 1.5: “By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.”
2. SDG 8 – Target 8.3: “Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.”
3. SDG 11 – Target 11.5: “Significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters.”
4. SDG 13 – Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.”

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

• Indicator for SDG 1.5: Number of small businesses and nonprofits receiving disaster recovery loans; reduction in economic losses due to disasters.
• Indicator for SDG 8.3: Number of jobs retained or created in small businesses receiving SBA loans post-disaster.
• Indicator for SDG 11.5: Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) disbursement amounts as a measure of economic loss mitigation.
• Indicator for SDG 13.1: Number of counties covered by disaster declarations and the extent of financial assistance provided to improve resilience.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: whas11.com