Businesses and nonprofits on the Island may be able to get relief from damages caused by the brutal blizzard that hit the Island in February.
On Wednesday, Gov. Maura Healey announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved her request for federal assistance for businesses and private nonprofit organizations that experienced economic loss from the February blizzard, a storm that blew powerful winds, caused power outages and dangerous road conditions, and covered the Vineyard under 20 inches of snow, according to conservative estimates. Businesses across the Island were forced to close during the storm.
Now, low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans will be made available to eligible businesses and nonprofits located in eight Massachusetts counties, including Dukes. Loans of up to $2 million can be “used to help pay for working capital and operating expenses that could not be met because of the storm’s economic impacts,” the announcement reads.
“The February blizzard forced many businesses to close for days, and disrupted economic activity across Southeastern Massachusetts,” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said in the announcement. “This assistance will help businesses and nonprofit organizations recover from those losses and move forward stronger.”
Eligibility can be determined by filling out the online form at sba.gov/disaster. Applications for the Economic Injury Disaster Loans are due by March 12, 2027. For more information on the SBA’s disaster assistance, applicants can also contact the federal agency’s customer service center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Applicants can also receive in-person assistance at business recovery centers, which the SBA is hosting at various locations in coordination with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and local governments.
On the Island, these centers will be hosted at Edgartown library on Saturday, June 20, from 10 am to 2 pm, and at the Oak Bluffs library from Wednesday, June 24, through Friday, June 26, from 10 am to 5 pm, and on Saturday, June 27, from 10 am to 2 pm.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and our communities, and many are still feeling the effects of the Blizzard of 2026,” Gov. Healey said in the announcement. “These loans will help businesses recover from lost revenue, keep their doors open, and continue serving their communities, and we encourage eligible businesses to apply.”