Blackford County Businesses Now Eligible for Federal Disaster Loans
From the Federal Register, published August 31, 2026
The U.S. Small Business Administration published a Federal Register notice today formalizing the Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Indiana (FEMA-4933-DR). While Blackford County remains excluded from the 21-county primary declaration, the notice lists it among 26 contiguous counties eligible for Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
Businesses and small agricultural cooperatives in Blackford County can apply at 4.000% interest. Private non-profit organizations qualify at 3.625%. The application deadline is May 25, 2027.
The loans cover operating expenses a business could have met had the disaster not occurred. They're designed for businesses that suffered economic harm from the August 11 storms — reduced customer traffic, supply chain disruption, or other losses — even without direct physical damage. Physical damage loans remain restricted to the 21 primary counties.
Blackford County's contiguous designation stems from its border with Delaware County, one of the primary disaster counties. The designation is automatic under SBA rules and does not represent a change in FEMA's decision to exclude Blackford County from individual or public assistance programs.
This is the first federal disaster-related financial assistance program that explicitly includes Blackford County since the August storms.
Applications can be submitted online at lending.sba.gov or by calling 1-800-659-2955.
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