COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County has submitted an application for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program to the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) for review after the Pocket Fire caused economic injury to local businesses.
The EIDL program provides 30-year loans with an interest rate capped at four percent to affected businesses. Principal and interest payments are not required in the first year of the loan to help businesses survive the loss of tourism. The EIDL program, if awarded, would be available to all businesses in Coconino County, as well as neighboring Yavapai, Mohave, Gila and Navajo counties, San Juan and Kane counties in Utah and Tribal Nations.
The County’s application process began with a sampling of impacted businesses filling out worksheets to show economic injury. This sampling of businesses reported a combined $743,000 in losses between June 19 and July 7, underscoring the Pocket Fire’s significant economic impacts to the area.
Coconino County submitted the packet to DEMA, which includes the worksheets, along with a copy of Coconino County Resolution 2026-40 adopted on July 8, highlighting the economic impact of the Pocket Fire, and letters of support from Coconino County Board Chair Patrice Horstman, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors, Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett and Sedona Mayor Holli Ploog. DEMA will review the application and forward it to Governor Katie Hobbs for endorsement. If endorsed, DEMA refers the endorsement to the US Small Business Administration (SBA) for review and finding of economic injury, thus authorizing the program.
For more information on the EIDL program visit lending.sba.gov. Businesses desiring a local contact can visit the Coconino County Economic Development webpage at coconino.az.gov/2237/Economic-Development.