Small businesses and private nonprofits in Upshur County can now apply for low-interest federal disaster loans after drought conditions this fall caused economic losses across the region.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of loans for businesses with financial losses from the drought that began Sept. 16, according to a press release.

The disaster declaration covers 24 counties in West Virginia, including Upshur, Barbour, Braxton, Brooke, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Grant, Greenbrier, Hancock, Harrison, Kanawha, Lewis, Nicholas, Ohio, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker and Webster. The declaration also covers counties in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofits with financial losses caused by the drought. Agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers cannot receive the loans, except for aquaculture enterprises.

The loans cover working capital needs even if the business or nonprofit suffered no physical damage. Businesses can use the money to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid because of the disaster.

“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”