SBA Approves Economic Injury Declaration

(Oklahoma City) – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today it has approved Gov. Brad Henry’s request for an Economic Injury Declaration for five southwest Oklahoma counties where businesses continue to feel the effects of the January ice storm.

“I am pleased that the Small Business Administration approved this declaration to assist struggling small businesses owners in Oklahoma,” Gov. Henry said. “My office will continue to seek all available federal aid to help Oklahoma families, businesses and local governments recover from this storm.”

The declaration makes available low interest disaster loans for business owners in Comanche, Greer, Jackson, Jefferson and Stephens counties. SBA assistance is also available for business owners in the contiguous counties of Beckham, Caddo, Carter, Cotton, Garvin, Grady, Harmon, Kiowa and Tillman, under the declaration.

Since the January 28 ice storm, businesses have continued to struggle with the impacts of the storm that left nearly 200,000 without power and treacherous travel conditions. The loans are available to assist business owners in meeting payroll and other financial obligations.

The SBA and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management will be setting up workshops next week so businesses owners can learn more about the available assistance.