Knox County Emergency Management officials are reminding residents of an important deadline.

The U.S. Small Business Administration says small businesses and private nonprofits have until April 20 to apply for federal disaster loans tied to severe storms and flooding last summer.

The assistance is available through the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which helps cover operating expenses like payroll, rent, and other bills impacted by the disaster.

Officials say businesses do not need to have physical damage to qualify, as long as they can show financial losses related to the storms.

The declaration includes several southwest Indiana counties, including Knox, Daviess, Greene, Dubois, Martin, and Pike.

Loan amounts can reach up to two million dollars, with long-term repayment options and interest rates set by the SBA.

Applications can be submitted online through the SBA website.

Officials say there is a 60-day grace period after the April 20 deadline, but residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.