Disaster assistance remains available across North Central Washington

CHELAN — A business doesn't have to burn in a wildfire or flood during a storm to suffer the financial consequences of a disaster. For businesses across North Central Washington, lost customers, canceled visits and disrupted travel can be enough to create serious financial hardship, and federal assistance may be available even when no physical damage occurred.

Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration visited the Cashmere City Council on Oct. 26 and the Chelan City Council on Oct. 27 to explain how disaster loan programs can help residents and business owners recover from both direct damage and indirect economic losses.

SBA representatives Todd Broadman and Fred Koenig discussed the effects of recent wildfires and the December 2025 storms, including disruptions along U.S. Highway 2 that affected travel to Leavenworth. They emphasized that businesses dependent on tourism and visitor traffic can experience financial losses far beyond the immediate area of a disaster.

The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is designed to help eligible small businesses meet ordinary and necessary operating expenses they cannot cover because of a disaster. Businesses may qualify for assistance even if their buildings, equipment and inventory were never damaged.

Eligible businesses can borrow up to $2 million to help cover expenses such as payroll, rent, utilities and other operating obligations.

Broadman said interest rates for small businesses can be as low as 4%, with repayment terms of up to 30 years. There are no application fees or closing costs, and borrowers do not have to begin making payments until 12 months after the loan is issued. Interest continues to accrue during that period.

Applicants are not obligated to accept a loan simply because they are approved. Broadman said approved borrowers have six months to decide whether to use the funds, allowing them time to assess their recovery needs.

The SBA also offers physical disaster loans to eligible homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations in areas covered by qualifying disaster declarations. These loans help repair or replace property damaged or destroyed by a disaster.

For homeowners, Broadman described interest rates as low as 2.875%. Eligible nonprofit organizations, including faith-based organizations, may also qualify for assistance, with loans of up to $2 million.

Application deadlines depend on the disaster and the type of assistance requested. The published deadline for physical damage loan applications related to the Chelan Hills Fire is Nov. 23, 2026. The deadline for Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications related to that fire is June 22, 2027.

For economic injury applications associated with the December 2025 storms, the published deadline is Nov. 24, 2026. The SBA has also announced a 60-day grace period for late applications, although applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by the published deadline.

Broadman told council members that SBA representatives would remain in the region through Nov. 6 to answer questions and help potential applicants navigate the process.

During the Chelan presentation, Mayor Erin McCardle raised questions about assistance for businesses affected by the Little Giant Fire, which caused economic disruptions but is not currently covered by an SBA disaster declaration.

Broadman acknowledged the fire's impact, particularly on tourism, and said he would seek clarification about the process for obtaining the disaster certification necessary to make SBA assistance available.

The distinction underscores an important limitation of the programs. Although businesses can qualify for economic injury assistance without suffering physical damage, their losses must be connected to a disaster covered by an applicable SBA declaration.

Broadman encouraged business owners who believe they may qualify to explore their options rather than assume that assistance is unavailable because their losses were indirect.

Residents and business owners can find information and apply online at www.sba.gov/disaster. They can also contact the SBA's disaster assistance customer service center at 800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

In-person assistance is available at the SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, 100 19th St. NW in East Wenatchee. The center's listed hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can be arranged at appointment.sba.gov.

With multiple disaster declarations covering different events and types of losses, applicants should confirm which program applies to their circumstances and the deadline for submitting an application.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media