Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) announced Tuesday, the U.S. Small Business Administration has made federal economic injury disaster loans available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private non-profit organizations in the Second District as a result of the severe storms and flooding that began on April 30.

Organizations in the following counties are eligible to apply for assistance: Barren, Breckinridge, Daviess, Edmonson, Grayson, Green, Hancock, Hardin, Hart, LaRue, Marion, Ohio, Taylor, Warren, and Washington.

Congressman Guthrie sent a letter in early May to the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, requesting a prompt review for agriculture emergency assistance, given the widespread damage to Kentucky's farmers and agriculture industries.

Once the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration can issue a declaration to assist eligible entities affected by the same disaster.

“There are overwhelming costs associated with the damage and losses that these communities and individuals have suffered. These loans can provide needed assistance to businesses and cooperatives in our communities,” Congressman Guthrie said.

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. Agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers are not eligible to apply to SBA.

For more information, or to obtain an application, individuals can call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) or visit www.sba.gov.