Businesses impacted by highway closures could qualify for SBA funds

Small business and private nonprofit organizations could qualify for low-interest federal disaster loans due to a landslide in Idaho.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the loans, which are available to those entities that sustained economic losses caused by the landslide and subsequent closure of Highway 95 that occurred on March 16. The SBA stated it issued a disaster declaration in response to a request it received from Gov. Brad Little on April 18.

Loan amounts can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for private nonprofits. Terms can be up to 30 years, the SBA stated. “Interest does not 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.”

The landslide impacted part of U.S. Highway 95 between Council and New Meadows around mile marker 146.5, south of Tamarack Hill.

The disaster declaration covers Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Custer, Gem, Idaho, Lemhi, Payette, Valley and Washington counties in Idaho and Baker and Wallowa counties in Oregon.

“Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and [private nonprofits] with financial losses directly related to this disaster,” the SBA stated in a release. “The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.”

The SBA stated that EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster. Those loans are available even if a business didn’t incur any physical damage, and they can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills recipients have not been able to pay because of the landslide.

Loan applicants are able to contact the SBA through its Virtual Business Recovery Center, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (PST) at [email protected] or by calling 916-735-1531. Businesses and organizations can apply online at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance disaster and are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as applications are prioritized by order received.

The deadline to submit an application is Jan. 21, 2026.