Small Businesses In State

Eligible For Disaster Loans

HARTFORD (AP) –– Connecticut businesses hurt financially by the September 11 attacks can now apply for low-interest loans from the US Small Business Administration.

The federal agency announced Tuesday a widening of its disaster loan program to include all US businesses, not only the ones located in nationally declared disaster areas.

Under the earlier plan, only Connecticut businesses in Fairfield and Litchfield counties could apply for the loans.

The loans are intended to provide businesses with money to cover ordinary expenses that they would have been able to pay had the attacks not occurred, the SBA said.

Businesses can apply for loans of up to $1.5 million with an interest rate of four percent through the disaster area center in Niagara Falls, N.Y., or at one of several local centers.