The agency has approved 17 disaster loans for homeowners and has loans of up to $200,000 still available for victims who apply by the April 21 deadline, said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East.

The larger loans are intended for repair from disaster damage to a primary residence or for businesses to fix real estate, machinery, inventory and equipment.

Smaller $40,000 loans are available for residents to replace personal property and Economic Injury Disaster Loans are also available to small businesses unable to pay bills or meet operating expenses because of the disaster.

For those businesses who were affected, though these loans will need to be repaid over time, this aid is essential as it will allow businesses to cover the cost of repairs and replacing equipment; for some this aid is the difference between the ability to stay in business and needing to shut down.