BUSINESS BRIEFS
State data book posted online
Advertiser Staff and News Services
The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has released the 39th annual edition of the State of Hawai'i Data Book on the DBEDT Web site at www.hawaii.gov/dbedt.
The 24-section state data book provides a broad spectrum of information relating to Hawai'i, including demographic, social, and economic data.
Some facts from this year's edition:
SBA OFFERING DROUGHT LOANS
Hawai'i small and non-farm businesses are eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to offset economic losses caused by drought.
Businesses may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $1.5 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster conditions not occurred, the SBA said.
Eligibility for the working capital loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster only, and not on any actual property damage.
The loans have an interest rate of 4 percent and a maximum term of 30 years.
The loans become available when the U.S. secretary of agriculture designates a disaster, which was done at the request of Gov. Linda Lingle.
For information and application forms, call 800-659-2955 or visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
