Minnesota businesses and residents affected by severe weather and flooding from June 27 through July 7 can apply for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

SBA Acting Administrator Christopher Pilkerton made the loans available in response to a July 29 letter from Gov. Tim Walz requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA. The declaration covers Dodge, Goodhue, Mower, Olmsted, Rice and Steele Counties.

“The SBA is strongly committed to providing the people of Minnesota with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist businesses of all sizes, homeowners and renters with federal disaster loans,” Pilkerton said. “Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

“Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets,” said SBA’s Minnesota District Director Nancy Libersky.

SBA’s customer service representatives will be available at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center, located at Kasson City Hall, 401 Fifth Street SE, Kasson, MN 55944, to answer questions about the disaster loan program and help individuals complete their applications.

The Center’s hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The Center closes at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14.