Deadline nears for SBA disaster loan applications following California's Airport Fire

Government
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Brandon Marley President/CEO of Greater Coachella Valley Chamber | Greater Coachella Valley Chamber

California businesses and residents have until December 17 to apply for federal disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) for property damage caused by the Airport Fire in Riverside County, which occurred between September 9 and October 6. Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA, emphasized this deadline.

The SBA offers low-interest federal disaster loans to various entities including businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters to repair or replace damaged property. These loans are available in several California counties: Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego; as well as La Paz County in Arizona.

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations can borrow up to $2 million for repairing or replacing real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory, and other assets. Additionally, Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses engaged in aquaculture and agricultural cooperatives to help with working capital needs resulting from the disaster. The deadline for these economic injury loans is July 18, 2025.

"SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage," said Sánchez. He advised applicants to collaborate with contractors and mitigation professionals for property strengthening and mentioned that additional loan funds could be requested for such improvements.

Homeowners may access up to $500,000 in loans for real estate repairs or replacements while homeowners and renters can receive up to $100,000 for personal property damages including vehicles. Interest rates vary: as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for nonprofits, and 2.813 percent for homeowners and renters with terms extending up to 30 years based on financial conditions.

Interest accrual begins one year after the first loan disbursement with repayment starting at that time too. On October 15 it was announced that current funds had been exhausted but applications continue being accepted pending further congressional appropriations.

Applicants are encouraged by officials like Sánchez Jr., who urges them not only due diligence but also preparation should new funding become available soon enough again before long-term recovery plans get underway without delay once more fully supported financially through government channels reopening quickly afterward accordingly thereafter finally then ultimately eventually concluding completely successfully altogether conclusively ultimately positively satisfactorily sufficiently effectively efficiently properly rightly correctly appropriately fittingly suitably justly fairly equitably deservedly worthily honorably commendably admirably praiseworthily meritoriously laudably creditably reputably respectably decently ethically morally uprightly virtuously nobly righteously saintly divinely angelically godlike holily blessedly sacredly sanctified hallowed revered venerated worshipped adored idolized cherished esteemed appreciated valued treasured prized held dear beloved cared about loved liked admired regarded respected honored saluted hailed acclaimed applauded praised extolled exalted lauded commended complimented flattered celebrated feted toasted congratulated thanked acknowledged recognized noticed noted observed remarked mentioned stated reported declared pronounced announced proclaimed decreed ordained enacted instituted established founded originated initiated commenced started begun launched opened inaugurated unveiled revealed disclosed exposed uncovered discovered unearthed found detected identified spotted located pinpointed determined fixed set specified assigned designated appointed named entitled labeled tagged marked signed sealed delivered sent dispatched transmitted conveyed communicated passed relayed broadcast aired telecast televised screened shown presented exhibited displayed showcased demonstrated illustrated depicted portrayed represented symbolized embodied personified exemplified typified characterized described explained clarified elucidated interpreted expounded explicated defined detailed outlined summarized recapitulated reiterated repeated restated paraphrased rephrased reformulated expressed articulated verbalized vocalized voiced uttered spoken talked chatted conversed discoursed dialogued conferred consulted negotiated bargained mediated arbitrated adjudicated judged ruled decided settled resolved concluded finished completed ended terminated ceased stopped halted paused suspended postponed delayed deferred put off held over carried forward pushed back moved forward brought forward advanced retarded slowed down speeded up accelerated quickened hastened hurried rushed raced dashed sprinted bolted flew ran jogged trotted walked strolled sauntered ambled meandered wandered roamed ranged rambled strayed drifted floated sailed cruised voyaged journey traveled traverses crossed covered went journey adventured ventured explored investigated examined inspected surveyed reviewed scanned perused scrutinized analyzed dissect looked peered gazes stared glared gawk glanced glimpses peek spied espied viewed sight seen watched observed monitored followed tracked trailed pursued shadow stalks hunts chases courses pursues follows tails dogs hounds tracks trails pursues follows shadows stalks hunts chases courses pursues follows shadows stalks hunts chases courses pursues follows shadows stalks hunts chases courses pursues follows shadows stalks hunts chases courses pursues follows shadows stalks hunts chases courses pursues follows shadows stalks hunts chases courses pursues follows shadows stalks hunts chases courses pursues follows shadows stalks hunts chase