Disaster loans may be available for some area nonprofits that suffered damages from the severe windstorm that hit the area in September.

The U.S. Small Business Administration said certain private, non-profit organizations that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature may be eligible to apply for low interest rate disaster loans. These loans are available as a result of the federal disaster declaration for public assistance resulting from damages caused by Hurricane Ike.

Small businesses located in the following nearby counties are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA: Butler, Clark, Clermont, Greene, Hamilton, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Union and Warren.

Examples of eligible organizations include, but are not limited to: food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

These organizations, known as PNPs, may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other business assets. The SBA also offers mitigation loans to disaster victims up to 20 percent of the verified physical damage.

Interest rates are as low as 4 percent with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based upon each applicant's financial condition.

"PNP organizations are urged to contact their county emergency managers to obtain information about local briefings. At the meeting, PNP representatives will provide information about their organization," said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA Field Operations Center East.

Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA's Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Interested parties can also e-mail the customer service center at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or write to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center, 130 South Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14202-2463.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Dec. 23. The deadline to return economic.

For more information about the SBA's Disaster Loan Programs, visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.