The Small Business Administration has approved a program to provide low-interest loans for residents and businesses recovering from the Cottonwood Complex wildfire that broke out in Reno County in March.

The loans are for damage repairs from the fire that burned across a 26-mile area, destroying 36 homes, over 90 outbuildings and more than 110 vehicles.   One person was killed in the fire, which broke out March 5th and continues to burn through March 16th.

The SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Hutchinson on April 26th, and it will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice.  The center will be located in the Reno County Courthouse at 206 West First.     No appointments are necessary.

Homeowners are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged to destroyed personal property.   Businesses and private non-profit organizations can borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, and other assets.    Economic Injury Disaster Loans are also available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most non-profit private organizations to help meet working capital needs caused bhy the fire.

Residents and businesses in neighboring counties of Harvey, Kingman, McPherson, Rice, Pratt, Sedgwick and Stafford are also eligible to apply for the low-interest SBA loans.