Businesses hurt by freeze can get low-interest loans

Low-interest loans will be available to small businesses that have suffered financial losses due to last month's freeze damage to crops, according to Steven C. Preston, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The deadline to apply is Oct. 24.

Customer service representatives will be on hand from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, 400 E. Esplanade Drive, Ste. 302, Oxnard.

They will issue loan applications, answer questions about the program, explain the application process and help each individual complete his application.

The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid because of the disaster's impact, as well as provide economic assistance to small businesses to help them overcome loss of revenue, according to Alfred E. Judd, director of the administration's Disaster Field Operations Center-West.

The loans are a response to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's request for the administration to declare a disaster due to the freezing temperatures that affected crops beginning on Jan. 11. The loans will be available in several California counties, including Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

The lowinterest economic injury disaster loans are available to small, non-farm businesses who have suffered financial losses due to the freeze itself or due to freeze damage to crops such as citrus.

The loans will be available to small businesses that are dependent on growers of citrus and other freezeimpacted crops. Eligible small businesses include those who do business directly with the growers or other agricultural producers, such as packing houses, truckers and suppliers of agricultural equipment or services. Owners of small "main street" businesses whose customers are dependent on agriculture income, such as diners, gas stations and markets, may also apply for the loans.

By law, agricultural enterprises such as citrus growers and vegetable growers are not eligible for the disaster assistance. Citrus and vegetable growers and farmers and ranchers should contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture for information on available assistance programs.

For more information, call (800) 6592955. Hearingimpaired individuals may call (800) 877-8339 or visit www.sba.gov/ services/disasterassistance.