CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (March 11, 2026) – The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans for small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Florida that sustained economic losses caused by frost and freeze conditions occurring Jan. 23 through Feb. 5, 2026. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 4, 2026.
The disaster declaration includes several counties across Florida, including Charlotte County, as well as select counties in Georgia.
Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and PNPs that experienced financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are designed to help organizations meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. These loans are available even if the business or nonprofit did not suffer physical damage. Funds may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that could not be paid due to the disaster.
Loan amounts can be up to $2 million, with interest rates as low as 4 percent for small businesses and 3.625 percent for private nonprofits, and terms of up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue and payments are not due until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. Loan amounts and terms are determined by the SBA based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online at sba.gov/disaster. For additional information about SBA disaster assistance, applicants may call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
For information, contact Ashley Turner at 941-833-5610 or Ashley.Turner@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.
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