Press Release: ICYMI: Gov. Evers Encourages Wisconsinites and Businesses Affected by July Storms to Apply for SBA Disaster Assistance Loans

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 10/16/2026 10:00 AM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 16, 2026
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
ICYMI: Gov. Evers Encourages Wisconsinites and Businesses Affected by July Storms to Apply for SBA Disaster Assistance Loans 
SBA approves governor’s disaster request, enabling Wisconsin businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by July’s severe weather to apply for low-interest disaster loans 
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers is encouraging small businesses and nonprofits affected by severe weather that occurred across the state in July to apply for federal disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This comes as, last month, Gov. Evers sent a letter to the SBA requesting a Rapid Disaster Declaration to help Wisconsin businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by July’s severe storms and flooding recover with low-interest disaster loans. Please note that the disaster loan offerings through the SBA are complementary to and separate from programs offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

“As many folks and families continue to recover from July’s destructive storms, these low-interest loans can make a real difference in helping folks get back on their feet, and I encourage those in eligible communities to apply,” said Gov. Evers. “As a state, we will continue to do everything we can to ensure the folks, families, businesses, and communities impacted by this summer’s severe storms can recover with the support and assistance they deserve.” 

The declaration covers Forest, Outagamie, Vilas, and Winnebago Counties, which are eligible for both physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Additionally, small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in the counties of Brown, Calumet, Florence, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Iron, Langlade, Marinette, Oconto, Oneida, Price, Shawano, Waupaca, and Waushara are eligible for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. 

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 damage loans is Mon., Dec. 7, 2026. The deadline for Economic Injury Loan applications is Wed., July 7, 2027. 

For physical damage loans, homeowners may be eligible for up to $500,000 in property loans to replace or repair their primary residence for losses not fully covered by insurance or other sources. Renters or homeowners may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances damaged or destroyed by the disaster. Up to $2 million is available for qualified business owners or most nonprofit organizations to cover disaster losses for real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. 
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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