Small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Kern, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties have until August 29, 2025, to apply for federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) following the Mountain Fire that began on November 6, 2024.
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofits—including faith-based organizations—that have experienced financial losses due to the fire. However, agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers are not eligible for these loans unless they operate small aquaculture enterprises.
These EIDLs are intended to provide working capital for needs arising from the disaster. The funds can be used for fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could not be paid because of the fire. Businesses do not need to have suffered physical damage to qualify…