LINCOLN –&nbsp;Today, Governor Pete Ricketts welcomed the news that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued a statewide economic injury declaration for Nebraska.&nbsp; The declaration qualifies small businesses throughout the state to apply for SBA disaster assistance loans.“As Nebraska steps up its efforts to combat coronavirus, we’ve limited the size of public gatherings and asked people to stay home when possible,” said Gov. Ricketts. &nbsp;“These temporary measures are vitally important to public health, but they present challenges for the day-to-day operations of many small businesses.&nbsp; Nebraska is grateful to the SBA and Administrator Carranza for offering much-needed financial assistance to our hard-working store owners and entrepreneurs at this time.”“The hard work and creativity of Nebraska’s small business owners enrich our communities and grows our state,” said Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director Tony Goins.&nbsp; “SBA loans will give small businesses the needed financial resources to weather the current pandemic and will set them up to thrive throughout the rest of 2020.”SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer low-interest rates and long-term repayment options.&nbsp; Specific terms are determined on a case-by-case basis.Small businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size can apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fdisasterloan.sba.gov%2Fela&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cfb3b35c940ca432d25d208d7cd152f65%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637203363183963401&amp;sdata=%2FakrVt3Co7Uxqfbyi%2FTW7umjOC35JAyjv0XSJr8CS7w%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">disasterloan.sba.gov/ela</a>.&nbsp; Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:disastercustomerservice@sba.gov">disastercustomerservice@sba.gov</a>.&nbsp;The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has teammates available to assist businesses with their questions. &nbsp;Contact information for DED’s regional development team can be found on DED’s COVID-19 website at&nbsp;<a href="http://opportunity.nebraska.gov/nded-covid19" target="_blank">opportunity.nebraska.gov/nded-covid19</a>.&nbsp; The webpage also has information on SBA resources.

Governor Ricketts announces eligibility of Nebraska businesses to apply for SBA disaster loans