Feds Declare Hotel Fire a National Disaster—Loans Incoming
Published Date: 3/9/2026
Notice
Summary
A big fire at the Hotel Hampton in Pennsylvania’s Northampton County has been declared a disaster, unlocking special low-interest loans to help people and businesses recover. Affected folks in nearby counties, including parts of New Jersey, can apply for physical damage loans by May 4 and economic injury loans by December 4, 2026. This means quick financial help is on the way to rebuild and bounce back stronger!
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Low‑Interest Physical Loans for Homeowners
If your home was physically damaged by the Hotel Hampton fire declaration area, you can apply for an SBA physical disaster loan. Homeowner interest rates are 5.750% if you have credit available elsewhere and 2.875% if you do not; the physical loan application deadline is May 4, 2026.
Physical Damage Loans for Small Businesses
Small businesses in the declared area can apply for SBA physical disaster loans to repair damage from the Hotel Hampton fire. Interest rates for businesses are 8.000% if credit is available elsewhere and 4.000% if it is not; the physical loan application deadline is May 4, 2026.
Economic Injury (EIDL) Loans for Businesses and Cooperatives
Businesses and small agricultural cooperatives in the declared area can apply for EIDL (economic injury) loans; the interest rate for businesses and cooperatives without credit available elsewhere is 4.000% and for private nonprofits without credit available elsewhere is 3.625%. The EIDL application deadline is December 4, 2026.
Disaster Loans for Private Nonprofits
Private nonprofit organizations in the declared area are eligible for SBA physical disaster loans at an interest rate of 3.625% (both with and without credit available elsewhere); the physical loan application deadline is May 4, 2026.
Who Is Eligible — Specific Counties Listed
The SBA declaration names Northampton County (primary) and contiguous counties Bucks, Carbon, Lehigh, and Monroe in Pennsylvania, plus Warren County in New Jersey, as adversely affected and eligible for the disaster loans under this declaration.
How to Apply and Contact SBA
Affected individuals and businesses may apply for disaster loans online at the MySBA Loan Portal (https://lending.sba.gov) or in person at locally announced locations; the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center can be reached at 1-800-659-2955 and via email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, dial 7-1-1 for relay services.
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