SBA to Open Business Recovery Centers in Arizona and Tribal Nations to Help Small Businesses Impacted by the Dragon Bravo and White Sage Fires

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today announced the opening of SBA Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) in Coconino County to assist small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations who sustained economic losses caused by the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires beginning July 4.

The disaster declaration covers the Arizona counties of Coconino, Gila, Mohave, Navajo, Yavapai as well as the Utah counties of Kane and San Juan. The tribal nations of Fort Mohave Indian Tribe, Havasupai Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Kaibab Paiute Tribe, Navajo Nation, San Carlos Apache Tribe, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Tonto Apache Nation, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Yavapai Apache Nation and Yavapai-Prescott Apache Tribe, the tribal nations of Southern Paiute, and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe are included in the primary and contiguous counties.

On the dates and times as indicated below, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at each BRC to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. No appointment is necessary, walk-ins are welcome. Those who prefer to schedule an in-person appointment in advance can do so at appointment.sba.gov.

“SBA’s Business Recovery Centers have consistently proven their value to business owners following a disaster,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “Business owners can visit these centers to meet face‑to‑face with specialists who will guide them through the disaster loan application process and connect them with resources to support their recovery.”

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to these disasters. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for nonprofits with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 18, 2026.

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.