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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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13157 — Administrative Declaration of a Disaster for the State of Pennsylvania
A big fire at Oak Forest Apartment Complex hit Berks County, Pennsylvania, and nearby areas. The government declared it a disaster on June 24, 2026, so affected homeowners, businesses, and nonprofits can apply for low-interest disaster loans to help rebuild and recover. You’ve got until August 24, 2026, to apply for physical damage loans and until March 24, 2027, for economic injury loans—so don’t wait!
2026-13159 — Interest Rates
The Small Business Administration set the Optional Peg Rate at 4.75% for July through September 2026, which helps decide interest rates on certain SBA loans. This affects small businesses using SBA direct or 504 loans, with lenders capped on how much interest they can charge based on state laws. If you’re borrowing or lending through SBA programs, keep an eye on these rates—they impact your loan costs this quarter!
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