- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration for Wasco County, Oregon, due to the Microwave Tower Fire.
- The incident period for the fire was from July 22, 2024, to August 11, 2024, with the declaration issued on October 29, 2024.
- Businesses and non-profit organizations in Wasco County and its contiguous counties—Clackamas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jefferson, Marion, Sherman, and Wheeler in Oregon, and Klickitat in Washington—are eligible to apply for these loans.
- The loans are intended to help businesses and non-profits that have suffered economic injury as a result of the fire.
- Interest rates for the loans are set at 4.000% for businesses and small agricultural cooperatives without credit available elsewhere, and 3.250% for non-profit organizations without credit available elsewhere.
- The deadline to apply for these loans is July 29, 2025.
- Applications can be submitted online via the MySBA Loan Portal or through other locally announced locations.
Impact on Contiguous Counties in Oregon and Washington
- The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration extends beyond Wasco County, Oregon, to include several contiguous counties in Oregon: Clackamas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jefferson, Marion, Sherman, and Wheeler. These areas are recognized for their economic ties to Wasco County and are eligible for financial assistance due to the ripple effects of the Microwave Tower Fire.
- Klickitat County in Washington is also included in the EIDL declaration as it shares a border with Wasco County, Oregon. This inclusion highlights the cross-state economic impact of the disaster, acknowledging that businesses and non-profits in this area may also face economic challenges due to the fire.
- The declaration aims to provide necessary financial support to help stabilize and recover the economies of these affected regions, ensuring that businesses and non-profits can continue operations and contribute to local economic resilience.
To view the original document on the Federal Register, click here.