BOISE, ID – The Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) is collecting information from non-farm small businesses and non-profit organizations affected by the March 16 closure of U.S. Highway 95 between Council and New Meadows. The closure was caused by a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall, which damaged several hundred feet of roadway shoulder.

Repairs are underway by the Idaho Transportation Department, and the highway is expected to reopen in early May. In the meantime, drivers are advised to use State Highway 55 as a detour.

IOEM is working with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to determine if businesses are eligible for assistance under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program. If the Governor submits a disaster declaration request and it is approved, the program could provide low-interest loans to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private non-profit organizations. The loans would help cover financial obligations that cannot be met due to the disruption.

To move forward with the request, IOEM needs at least five completed EIDL worksheets from affected businesses. Even those not intending to apply for a loan are encouraged to submit the form to help demonstrate the overall economic impact of the highway closure.

The EIDL worksheet is available at ioem.idaho.gov/SBA. Completed forms can be emailed to jdick@imd.idaho.gov, faxed to 208-422-3044, or mailed to:

ATTN: Jarod Dick
4040 Guard St., Bldg. 600
Boise, ID 83705

The worksheet is not a loan application but is used to assess eligibility for a potential federal disaster declaration. Farms and ranches are not eligible for the SBA program.

For more information, contact Tristan Lewis at (208) 803-5216 or tlewis@imd.idaho.gov.