SBA Offers Disaster Relief to WI Businesses + Private Nonprofits + Residents Affected by Aug. Storms

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low 
interest federal disaster loans for Wisconsin businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected 
by severe storms and flooding occurring Aug. 9-12, 2025. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in 
response to a request received from Gov. Tony Evers, on Sept. 10, 2025.

The declaration covers primary Wisconsin counties of Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha;
which are eligible for both Physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs)
from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in the following 
adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA EIDLs: Dodge, Fond Du Lac, Jefferson, 
Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan and Walworth.

Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may 
borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery 
and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may 
borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and 
appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary 
residence.

Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 17, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the 
Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Milwaukee County to answer questions about SBA’s disaster 
loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application. 
Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at 
appointment.sba.gov.

The BRC hours of operation are listed below.
Business Recovery Center (BRC)
Milwaukee County
Extension Milwaukee County
Summit Place
6737 W Washington St
West Allis, WI 53214


Opening: Wednesday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Closed Sunday

“SBA’s Business Recovery Centers have consistently proven their value to business owners 
following a disaster,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster 
Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “Business owners can visit these centers to meet face-to-face 
with specialists who will guide them through the disaster loan application process and connect 
them with resources to support their recovery.”

Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as 
verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include 
strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage 
doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from 
future damage.

Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for PNPs, and 3% for homeowners and 
renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due, 
until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and 
terms, based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a 
disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or 
other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, 
provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to 
simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully 
recover. FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid for by 
insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term 
recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 
(800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster 
assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 
to access telecommunications relay services.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 10, 2025. The 
deadline to return economic injury applications is June 11, 2026.


About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the 
only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal 
government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and 
support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It 
delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public 
and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov