RHODE ISLAND, June 12 - Published on Thursday, June 11, 2026
Federal assistance available to eligible businesses and nonprofits impacted by the February 22–24, 2026, snowstorm
PROVIDENCE, RI — Governor Dan McKee, in partnership with the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA), today announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration for Rhode Island following the historic snowstorm that impacted the state from February 22–24, 2026.
The McKee Administration provided a robust response to the largest snow accumulation in decades, including operationalizing shelters, partnering with the National Guard, and organizing mutual aid with other states’ Departments of Transportation.
The EIDL declaration makes low-interest federal disaster loans available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations that incurred economic losses due to the storm.
Eligible Rhode Island counties include:
- Kent County
- Providence County
- Contiguous Rhode Island counties: Bristol, Newport, and Washington
Additional contiguous counties in Connecticut and Massachusetts are included under the federal declaration.
“Rhode Island’s response to this historic snowstorm was strong and well-coordinated, with local communities, the National Guard and RI Emergency Management Agency all working together to keep people safe and support recovery,” said Governor McKee. “These SBA loans can provide important support as businesses and nonprofits continue to recover. We thank the federal government for approving this declaration and making resources available.”
“Commerce was in ongoing contact with the Rhode Island business community throughout the storm and in its aftermath,” said Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor. “We listened to the challenges faced by businesses, including loss of income and storm-related damage, and advocated for resources to address their needs. We are grateful to the SBA for making these low-interest loans available to our local businesses.”
"Recovering from a disaster takes a coordinated effort at every level of government, and we are grateful for our partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration in making this assistance available to Rhode Island's business community. These Economic Injury Disaster Loans can provide a critical lifeline to businesses and nonprofit organizations that continue to feel the financial impacts of February's historic snowstorm,” said RIEMA Director Marc Pappas. “RIEMA's Recovery Branch has worked closely with our federal partners throughout this process to help ensure eligible Rhode Island organizations have access to the resources they need. We encourage all eligible businesses and nonprofit organizations to review the program requirements and apply as soon as possible so they can access this assistance and continue moving forward in their recovery."
Available Assistance
EIDLs provide working capital to help eligible organizations meet ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met because of the disaster. By offering flexible, low-interest financing, the program helps businesses and nonprofits maintain operations and navigate the challenges of long-term recovery.
Eligible applicants include:
- Small businesses
- Small agricultural cooperatives
- Small businesses engaged in aquaculture
- Most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes
Application Deadline: March 10, 2027
How to Apply
Businesses can visit the Business Recovery Center at the following location from June 12 to June 26, 2026:
East Greenwich Police Department
Community Room
176 First Ave.
East Greenwich, RI 02918
Hours of Operation
June 12 / 11 AM – 6 PM
Mon – Friday / 9 AM – 6 PM
Saturdays / 10 AM – 2 PM
Applications may be submitted online through the SBA Disaster Loan Portal:
Apply Here:
For additional assistance, contact the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center:
Phone: 1-800-659-2955
Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
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