Kansas governor Laura Kelly says steps are being taken to provide disaster assistance to businesses that have been struggling because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The governor said under a disaster declaration she issued on March 12th, the Small Business Administration will be providing loans to help small businesses that have been disrupted by COVID-19. The loans will be up to $2 million and they can be used for fixed debts, payroll, and other needs. The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses and 2.75 percent for private non-profit organizations. The loans will be available in all 105 Kansas counties. When the program is approved, businesses will be able to apply through the web site https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela
The governor also said her administration has allocated $5 million of state funds to create the Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency Fund. It will provide short-term, zero interest loans for the hospitality sector, such as hotels, restaurants, bars and event centers. Kansas Secretary of Commerce David Toland said the hospitality industry has had some of the most immediate impacts of the coronavirus crisis with businesses being closed to the public across the state. He said the loans will help these businesses with payroll, utilities, commercial loan payments and other expenses. More information is available through the web site kansascommerce.gov/HIREfund
