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SBA offers disaster assistance to businesses, residents affected by Chelan Hills Fire

By the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans to Washington businesses, private nonprofits and residents to offset physical and economic losses from the Chelan Hills Fire occurring July 4 to 10. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a Sept. 18 request from Gov. Bob Ferguson.

The declaration covers the counties of Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas and Okanogan. The deadline to return physical damage applications is Nov. 23. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 22, 2027.

Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20 percent of their physical damage, as verified by SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofit organizations, including faith-based organizations, impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or private nonprofit did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills which could not be paid due to the disaster.

Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.625 percent for nonprofits, and 2.875 percent for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s National Support Network Center at 866-SBA-HELP or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Last Updated: 11/03/2026 03:02 PM

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 24
    Nov 2026
    01:30 PM - 02:00 PM

    Public Meeting: Certify Election

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office
  • 24
    Nov 2026
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office
  • 18
    Nov 2026
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office
  • 12
    Nov 2026
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office
  • 07
    Nov 2026
    09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

    Monthly Drop-Off Saturday - Nov. 7, 2026

    Posted by: Solid Waste Management

    Drop-Off Saturday at the Moderate Risk Waste Facility is Nov. 7

    Moderate Risk Waste Facility