Businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Clinton County may apply for low-interest federal disaster loans tied to severe weather in August, the county's emergency management agency said. The aid falls under federal Disaster Declaration OH-20017 and is offered through the U.S. Small Business Administration as Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which provide working capital. Applicants do not have to show physical damage to business property.
Seven Ohio counties — Clermont, Franklin, Hamilton, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum and Perry — hold primary designation for both physical damage and economic injury assistance. Clinton is among 16 neighboring Ohio counties cleared for economic injury support only, along with two Indiana counties and five in Kentucky.
Funds cover ordinary operating costs during recovery, including payroll, rent, utilities, supplier invoices and existing fixed debt. Lost profits and property repairs are excluded. A drop in sales by itself will not qualify an applicant, who must show the storm kept the business from meeting normal financial obligations. The agency recommends assembling sales records, balance sheets and inventory reports.
Rates are fixed at 4% for small businesses and agricultural cooperatives and 3.625% for qualified private nonprofits. Borrowers may receive as much as $2 million over terms as long as 30 years, with the SBA setting amounts and terms case by case. Interest does not accrue until 12 months after the initial disbursement.
The filing deadline is July 2, 2027. Applications go through lending.sba.gov, and the SBA Customer Service Center handles questions at 800-659-2955 or by email; relay service for callers who are deaf or hard of hearing is available at 711. The county agency posted further details on its website.