Supporting businesses impacted by the 2025 floods with financial resources and recovery assistance.
Important Update on FEMA Assistance for Flood-Affected Counties
FEMA has announced federal disaster assistance for residents in Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, and Simpson counties.
Why This Matters
Eastern Kentucky businesses are vital to the region’s economy and community well-being. The recent flooding has caused significant financial hardship, and accessing recovery funding quickly is essential.
This page provides a centralized resource for available loans, grants, and financial support to help businesses rebuild.
Disaster assistance
Explore SBA’s low-interest disaster loans to help homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes recover from declared disasters.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses affected by the 2025 floods. These loans can be used for:
- Repairing or replacing damaged property, equipment, and inventory
- Covering operating expenses and working capital needs
- Rebuilding efforts to restore business operations
For details on how to apply, view the program highlights and fact sheet.
SBA Disaster Assistance Centers are Now Open
If your business has been impacted by the recent flooding, the Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Recovery Centers are available to help. These intake centers provide direct support for businesses seeking disaster loans and other recovery resources. Click below to view the full list of locations offering in-person assistance:
Flood Relief Grant Applications Now Open
Has your small business been affected by recent flooding?
The Invest 606 Flood Relief Grant is a funding opportunity made possible through a partnership between Invest 606, the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, and the Appalachian Impact Fund. Small businesses, farms, and social enterprises that have been impacted by the February 2025 flood are eligible to apply. This grant provides financial assistance to help businesses recover and rebuild. Eligible applicants can apply now to access critical funding.
Take the Small Business Impact Survey
The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky is gathering information to better support impacted businesses. Your response to this short survey will help guide relief efforts. All information will remain confidential and used solely for assistance purposes.
Business Recovery Loans
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) from across the Commonwealth offer low-interest, flexible loans designed to help businesses secure funding for immediate needs. These loans provide critical support to help businesses reopen, rebuild, and continue serving their communities during the recovery process.
The Mountain Association has a loan option for eligible businesses & organizations impacted by flooding or other natural disasters:
- Loan Amounts: $1,000 to $100,000+
- Interest Rate: 0% for the first 12 months and then 3.75% if directly impacted; 0% the first six months and then 3.75% if indirectly impacted by disaster
- Minimal principal payments of $1 per $1,000 (For example, if the loan is for $10,000, principal payment for the 0% interest period will be $10). We also have limited funding available for principal repayment periods of 6-12 months.
- Term: Fixed rate up to 10 years
- Collateral options are flexible
- No origination fees and no prepayment penalties
- If the loan is under $50,000, decisions will be made within 10 business days once we have all the information we need.
Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corp., a Community Development Financial Institution serving 45 counties in Southern and Eastern Kentucky, has established an Emergency Business Disaster Loan Program available to qualifying small business owners located in any of the disaster-impacted counties.
Up to $5,000 in direct business loans will be offered at zero interest with no payment or interest accrual for one year. The three-year loan will follow with two years of payments at 4% interest.
Get Assistance with SOAR
Flood recovery can be challenging, but the team at Shaping Our Appalachian Region is here to help small business owners get back on their feet. We connect you with the loans, grants, and resources you need to rebuild and move forward. Fill out the form today to access the support you deserve.
Lost Important Documents in the Flood? Here’s How to Replace Them
If you lost important documents in the recent floods, you’re not alone. Replacing things like IDs, insurance papers, and birth certificates can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help.
