SBA official: up to $24 million in disaster loans approved for region

Karim Garmi, a public affairs specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration, addressed the council during public comment to summarize SBA disaster assistance available to survivors of the Aug. 12 disaster.

Garmi said the SBA has approved up to $24,000,000 in aid under the current declaration for primary counties including Waukesha County, Milwaukee County and Washington County and contiguous counties. He described loan products and limits: homeowners can apply for loans for personal-property damage up to $100,000; businesses may be eligible for physical-damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans, with business loan limits discussed in the presentation (examples cited included up to $500,000 for some physical-damage loans, and references to up to $2,000,000 in certain business loan contexts). Garmi encouraged residents to use local recovery centers and provided the online application site (lending.sba.gov).

Garmi said SBA loans include long repayment terms and relatively low interest rates and noted that “80% of our loans actually go to homeowners,” underscoring that SBA assistance is available to both businesses and individuals.

Contact and next steps: applicants were directed to lending.sba.gov and to local recovery centers for in-person help; Garmi offered to share business cards and follow up with city staff to coordinate outreach.

Sources: Public comment by Karim Garmi, U.S. Small Business Administration, at the Nov. 4, 2025 council meeting.