Just one month after freezing weather devastated California's crops, the U.S. Small Business Administration presented the first disaster loans to businesses financially harmed by the freeze.

Carlos G. Mendoza, district director of the SBA Fresno District office, presented the assistance checks to five small businesses for which SBA approved loans totaling $352,600.

SBA declared 40 California counties - including Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo - a freeze disaster just two days after receiving Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's request for SBA assistance.

Mendoza said that as of Friday, SBA had approved 20 loans for more than $3.12 million in low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans to small businesses financially affected by the freeze.

SBA's disaster declaration makes low-interest loans of up to $1.5 million available to small, nonfarm businesses dependent on growers of citrus and other freeze-impacted crops that suffered financial losses due to the freeze itself or freeze damage to such crops.

Eligible small businesses also include those that do business directly with the growers, such as packing houses, truckers and suppliers of agricultural equipment or services.

Owners of small “main street” businesses whose customers are dependent on agriculture income, such as diners, gas stations, markets, and so forth, may also apply for the disaster loans, Mendoza said.

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The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid because of the disaster's impact.

SBA disaster customer service representatives are still available at 36 Disaster Loan Outreach Centers to issue loan applications, answer questions about the program, explain the application process and help each individual complete an application.

In Santa Barbara County, centers are located near Macy's on the upper level of the Town Center mall at Broadway and Main Street in Santa Maria, and in the city clerk conference room of Carpinteria City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave.

The Santa Maria center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, and the Carpinteria center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays.

In San Luis Obispo County, centers are located at the county Department of Agriculture office, 810 W Branch St., Arroyo Grande, and 350 N. Main St., Templeton.

The Arroyo Grande center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; the Templeton center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays.

Small-business owners unable to visit an SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center may obtain information by calling toll-free (800) 659-2955 or by visiting www.sba.gov/services/disaster

assistance.

The deadline to apply for the loans is Oct. 24.

By law, citrus and vegetable growers and similar agriculture enterprises are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance but can contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture for information on that agency's assistance programs.

Previous SBA freeze assistance

The arctic air that chilled California in January was the third

significant freeze to impact the state since 1990, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

During the freeze of 1990, SBA approved more than $13.4 million in loans to small businesses that suffered financial hardship.

After the 1998 freeze, SBA approved more than $15.3 million in

low-interest loans.