(ATLANTA) – Businesses affected by the water main breaks, which occurred from May 31 to June 6, 2024, in 11 Georgia counties, may now apply for low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA is also scheduled to open a Business Recovery Center (BRC) to assist with the application process. Information regarding the BRC will be forthcoming.

Georgia received the SBA Economic Injury Declaration for the primary county of Fulton and the 10 contiguous counties of Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth and Gwinnett, in response to a request made by Governor Brian Kemp’s authorized representative, Deputy Director of Recovery at the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), Valarie Grooms. All counties included in the SBA declaration are eligible to apply.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://lending.sba.gov. Please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center by email at [email protected] or by phone at 1-800-659-2955 for further assistance.

The deadline to return the economic Injury disaster loan applications is April 10, 2025.

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As part of the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency collaborates with local, state and federal governments in partnership with private sector and non-governmental organizations to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. GEMA/HS’s Ready Georgia website and preparedness campaign provides Georgians with the knowledge needed to effectively prepare for disasters. Go to gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia for information on developing a custom emergency plan and Ready kit.