After Main Street Fire, Federal Loans Offer Businesses a Second Chance
Published Date: 10/16/2026
Notice
Summary
South Carolina businesses in Oconee and nearby counties hit by the Walhalla Main Street fire can now apply for special low-interest disaster loans to help recover. The loans offer rates as low as 3.625% and applications are open until July 9, 2027. This support also extends to affected areas in Georgia and North Carolina, giving small businesses and nonprofits a financial boost to bounce back.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Low‑interest EIDL loans for impacted small businesses
If you operate a small business or small agricultural cooperative in Oconee County, SC, or the listed contiguous counties in South Carolina (Anderson, Pickens), Georgia (Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Rabun, Stephens), or North Carolina (Jackson, Macon, Transylvania), you may apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. The declared interest rate for businesses and small agricultural cooperatives without credit available elsewhere is 4.000% (declaration issued October 9, 2026; incident September 17, 2026).
Special EIDL rate for private nonprofits
If you run a private non-profit organization in the declared areas of South Carolina, Georgia, or North Carolina, you may apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan at an interest rate of 3.625% if you lack credit available elsewhere. The EIDL declaration number is 219580 and was issued October 9, 2026.
How and when to apply for EIDL assistance
You can apply for these disaster loans online at the MySBA Loan Portal (https://lending.sba.gov) or in person at locally announced locations; contact SBA disaster assistance at 1-800-659-2955 or by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans must be submitted by July 9, 2027 (TTY users: dial 7-1-1).
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