SBA assists businesses impacted by April tornadoes.

The U.S. Small Business Association has opened up several disaster loan options to businesses impacted by tornadoes, storms and high winds on April 12-13.

The SBA will consider impacted businesses in Aiken, Colleton, Hampton, Marlboro, Oconee, Orangeburg and Pickens counties for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans via its electronic loan application system, according to a news release. Small businesses and nonprofits in the following counties will be eligible only for Economic Injury Disaster Loans for storm damage: Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Edgefield, Florence, Greenville, Jasper, Lexington and Saluda.

Businesses and private nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million at interest rates of 3.75% and 2.75% at the lowest-to-repair or replace cost for real estate, machinery, inventory or other physical assets damaged by the storms. A possible loan increase also will be offered to cover 20% of the damages and install mitigation improvements such as a retaining wall, French drain, sump pump or storm shelter.

Homeowners are eligible to...