The Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Development Authority have announced the opening of the application period for the SAFETY 24 Hurricane Helene Relief Loan Program.

This low-interest, emergency loan program will provide Georgia farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene essential funds to recover from damage, replace lost income, and continue farm operations until additional federal aid is delivered.

Preliminary assessments from University of Georgia estimate the economic impact of Hurricane Helene on agriculture — Georgia’s #1 industry — at $6.46 billion, including $3.2 billion in direct losses to Georgia farmers.

Farm operators who suffered losses from Hurricane Helene and reside in a FEMA designated disaster area or adjacent county are eligible to apply for up to $500,000 at a 2% fixed interest rate. This special loan program will be administered on a first come, first serve basis. Eligible uses of these funds include income replacement, operating capitol, repairing or replacing damaged farm structures, repairing or replacing damaged equipment, and the purchase of machinery or equipment necessary to recover from hurricane damage.

How to Apply:

• The application form and additional details can be found online at https://www.gdaonline.com/hurricane-helene-loan-program/
• Applications can be submitted online via email or via regular mail.
  • Online applications should be sent to anita@gdaonline.com
  • Printed applications should be sent to the Georgia Development Authority, 1890 Highway 130, Monroe, Ga 39655

• Applications must include the following documents to be considered:
  • SAFETY 24 Application Form
  • SAFETY 24 Product Loss Verification
    • This form is to be completed by your crop insurance agent, UGA Extension Service, Farm Service Agency, or a loan specialist.
  • Operating Credit Continuity Agreement
    • An agreement must be obtained from applicants’ primary operating credit provider stating that the primary operating credit provider will continue financing operating capital for the applicant, after the SAFETY 24 loan closes, for the next year of operation. If the operation does not require credit for operating capital and therefore a letter from a primary operating credit provider is not obtainable, a letter of intent from an entity the farm has a contractual relationship with stating that the entity will continue the contractual relationship with the farm will suffice.

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