Drought-related loans open to nonfarm businesses

TOPEKA, Kan. - The drought that continues to grip Kansas isn't only affecting farmers and livestock producers. Many nonfarm businesses have also been hurt.

 The state Agriculture Department says small, nonfarm operations in 47 counties may qualify for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. They're intended to offset economic losses that can be directly linked to drought conditions since mid-July.

 Qualifying operations may also include small agricultural cooperatives, some nonprofits and a few others.

 The primary Kansas counties are Chase, Dickinson, Douglas, Ellis, Ellsworth, Franklin, Geary, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Marion, Miami, Mitchell, Morris, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Rush, Russell, Saline, Shawnee, Smith, Wabaunsee and Wyandotte.

 The other counties are Anderson, Atchison, Barton, Butler, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Greenwood, Harvey, Jackson, Jewell, Linn, Lyon, McPherson, Ness, Pawnee, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Rice, Riley, Rooks and Trego counties.