Applications for SBA Coronavirus Relief Loans Open in Montana, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah

Update July, 2021: the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ended on May 31, 2021. Existing borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness.

March 18, 2020

The Small Business Association (SBA) approved eligibility for coronavirus relief loans for impacted small businesses in Montana, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.

The coronavirus relief loans were previously announced by President Donald J. Trump. The loans are intended to provide relief to small businesses that are experiencing steep drops in business or outright closure as state and local governments impose stark measures to contain the virus.

The SBA loans can go up to $2 million with interest rates of 2.75% for nonprofits and 3.75% for small businesses. Repayment plans can be as long as 30 years.

After the announcement, however, many small businesses were confused about how to apply for the relief loans intended to address the impact of the coronavirus. Governors of individual states need to formally request the SBA declare counties within the state eligible in order for small businesses to apply for the loans.

The SBA relaxed that requirement this week, allowing governors to seek statewide eligibility for coronavirus loans. This was intended to make loan applications available at a quicker pace. The SBA has said that eligibility approval for states takes no more than 48 hours, and that a credit decision on individuals loans can take two to three weeks. Approved loans can be disbursed within five days.

The SBA approved eligibility for four more states. In Nevada and New Mexico all counties were listed as eligible. In Montana and Utah, the following counties were declared eligible:

Montana counties eligible for SBA coronavirus relief loans

The following counties in Montana were listed as eligible to apply for relief loans by the SBA.

• Flathead
• Gallatin
• Missoula
• Sheridan
• Silver Bow
• Wheatland
• Beaverhead
• Broadwater
• Daniels
• Deer Lodge
• Fergus
• Glacier
• Golden Valley
• Granite
• Jefferson
• Judith Basin
• Lake
• Lewis and Clark
• Lincoln
• Madison
• Meagher
• Mineral, Park
• Pondera
• Powell
• Ravalli
• Roosevelt
• Sanders
• Sweet Grass
• Teton

Utah counties eligible for SBA coronavirus relief loans

The following counties in Utah were listed as eligible to apply for relief loans by the SBA.

• Salt Lake
• San Juan
• Summit
• Utah
• Wasatch
• Washington
• Wayne
• Carbon
• Daggett
• Davis
• Duchesne
• Emery
• Garfield
• Grand
• Iron
• Juab
• Kane
• Morgan
• Piute
• Rich
• Sanpete
• Sevier
• Tooele
• Box Elder

Contiguous counties eligible for SBA coronavirus relief loans

Additionally, the SBA included counties that neighbor approved states as also eligible, even though the state may not have received a formal designation yet. The counties in neighboring states approved yesterday include:

Arizona

• Apache
• Coconino
• Mohave
• Navajo

Colorado

• Dolores
• Mesa
• Montezuma
• Montrose
• San Miguel

Idaho

• Cassia
• Clearwater
• Fremont
• Idaho
• Owyhee
• Twin Falls

North Dakota

• Divide
• Williams

Oregon

• Harney
• Lake

Wyoming

• Park
• Sweetwater
• Teton
• Uinta

The SBA said that small businesses can apply for the loans directly on their website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Business owners can call the disaster customer service center at 800-659-2955, or email [email protected]. The deaf and hearing impaired may call 800-877-8339.

Editor’s Note: Neither Workest or Zenefits is affiliated with the Small Business Administration (SBA) or a lending organization. This article is intended for informational purposes only.