Sonya Lalla, representing the Small Business Administration’s Disaster Recovery program, briefed the Linn County Commission on federal loan options tied to a presidential disaster declaration issued Oct. 24, 2025.

Lalla told commissioners SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available countywide for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Key details provided: interest rates can be as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.6% for nonprofits; the maximum loan amount is $2,000,000; repayment terms can extend up to 30 years; there are no application fees; and first repayment is deferred for 12 months. The deadline to apply is July 22, 2026, and applicants may apply at sba.gov/disaster or by phone to the SBA disaster line Lalla provided.

Lalla requested the commission’s help in distributing the information locally and asked for contacts at county newspapers or radio stations so she could broaden outreach to businesses.

What’s next: County staff and commissioners said they would share the information with local media and community partners and expect SBA staff to provide outreach materials for publication and distribution.