September 12, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The U.S. Small Business Administration
says small businesses and non-profits in 13 counties can apply for
loans to cover damages due to hail storms earlier this year.

The loans announced Friday are available to small businesses,
agricultural cooperatives and most private, nonprofit groups
affected by the May 11-20 hail storms.

Loans of up to 30 years are available at a 4 percent interest
rate.

The loans are available in 13 counties: Aiken, Allendale,
Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Edgefield, Greenwood, Hampton,
Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Orangeburg and Saluda.

Disaster victims can call the agency at 1-800-659-2955 or e-mail
disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. The deadline for applying is April
15, 2009.

On the Net: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)