KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2025 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

SBA opens up new loans to La Paz, Mohave counties to address drought

Farmland lies on either side of Route 95 in Mohave Valley. Some is actively farmed, and other lots are not.
Bret Jaspers/KJZZ
Farmland lies on either side of Route 95 in Mohave Valley. Some is actively farmed, and other lots are not.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering new loans to provide economic relief for small businesses across seven Arizona counties facing financial hardships from drought.

Though not for farms themselves, which are covered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the loans primarily target businesses in La Paz or Mohave County that rely on farms for their products and services.

The money comes from the SBA’s Disaster Loan Program, which partly seeks to help business owners recover from declared disasters. Last month, the agency announced the program’s funds had been completely exhausted.

The SBA’s Cynthia Cowell cited the impact of hurricanes Milton and Helene.

“To tell you the truth, this is the first time that we’ve had to stop funding loans. It almost happened right after Katrina, but Congress was in session at that point; it wasn’t an election year," Cowell said.

She said once Congress returns and appropriates money for the program, the SBA will be able to disburse funds immediately. The deadline for business owners to apply is July 7, 2025.

More business news from KJZZ

Nick Karmia is a reporter at KJZZ.