The federal government has opened a lending window for Pennsylvania communities still digging out from the July 28 storms, and it is not just for businesses. Nonprofits, including watershed groups, qualify for some of the cheapest repair money available.
The Small Business Administration declared a disaster for the July 28 severe storms and flooding, published in the Federal Register on August 25. Clearfield County is the primary area, with Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clinton, Elk, Indiana, and Jefferson counties also eligible. Physical damage loan applications are due October 19, 2026.
Who qualifies and where
Clearfield County is the primary disaster area, and the declaration extends to the eight contiguous counties. That pulls several headwater communities of our basin into eligibility, including Indiana and Cambria counties on the Conemaugh and Blacklick side of the network’s territory.
What a watershed group can use it for
If a member group lost equipment, took damage to a building or field station, or watched a restoration site get torn up by the late July flooding, an SBA disaster loan is one of the cheaper ways to finance the repair. Economic injury loans, which cover working capital losses rather than property damage, are also available and stay open until May 19, 2027.
How to apply
Applications go through the MySBA Loan Portal at lending.sba.gov. The SBA’s disaster assistance line is 1-800-659-2955, and the customer service email is disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Physical damage applications are due October 19, 2026.
Why it matters for the rest of us
Given the month this region just had, it is worth forwarding this to any group, landowner, or small business in the affected counties. The declaration is narrow, but the flooding was not, and documenting damage now also builds the case if further declarations come.
Details from the SBA disaster declaration in the Federal Register, August 25, 2026. Incident date July 28, 2026; declaration August 19, 2026.
