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ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Small businesses and private nonprofit organizations across Georgia affected by ongoing drought conditions may now qualify for federal disaster assistance.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced June 3 that low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are available to eligible businesses and nonprofits that suffered financial losses due to drought conditions that began on Dec. 15, 2025.

The declaration includes dozens of Georgia counties, including many in South Georgia such as

• Dougherty
• Lee
• Worth
• Mitchell
• Colquitt
• Tift
• Thomas
• Grady
• Decatur
• Seminole
• Early
• Baker
• Terrell
• Randolph
• Calhoun
• Miller
• Irwin

According to the SBA, the loans can help cover working capital needs, including payroll, fixed debts, accounts payable and other bills that businesses may have been unable to pay because of the drought. The assistance is available even if a business did not suffer physical damage.

Eligible applicants can borrow up to $2 million. Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for private nonprofit organizations, with repayment terms of up to 30 years.

The SBA said interest will not accrue and payments will not be due until 12 months after the first loan disbursement.

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofits, including faith-based organizations. However, agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers are generally not eligible, except for aquaculture enterprises.

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