Assistance is available only to applicants with credit unavailable elsewhere. Applicants must be eligible small businesses according to SBA size standards. Direct and guaranteed loans, grants, and rural business enterprise grants to businesses and cooperatives affected by natural disasters. Applicants must be in rural areas or in towns with populations under 50,000. Preference is given to applicants in open country, rural communities, and towns of 25,000 population and fewer.
Assistance is subject to the availability of funds.
Towns or incorporated areas with populations under 50,000 are eligible for direct and guaranteed loans, and towns or incorporated areas with populations under 25,000 are eligible for grants. Funds may be used to construct, enlarge, or improve health care, public safety, fire and rescue services, transportation, and public services. All facilities financed shall be for public use. Funds may not be used to pay interest on loans, operation and maintenance costs, or to acquire or refinance an existing system. Assistance to meet immediate and short-term crisis counseling needs of disaster victims.