The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Monday that it will accept applications for loan assistance for Georgia enterprises in 12 counties affected by the drought.

The aid program targets farm-related and other entities not covered by aid from the Department of Agriculture. The eligible counties are Banks, Barrow, Cherokee, Dawson, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin and White.

The loans are intended to cover fixed costs such as payroll and scheduled debt payments. They are capped at $2 million with terms up to 30 years. Interest rates are 3 percent for non-profits and 4 percent for small businesses. The SBA determines the amounts and specific terms.

More information for potential applicants is available by calling 800-659-2955 or going online to www.sba.gov.

The application deadline is April 22, 2013.

Tags: Gwinnett County, Barrow County, Fulton County, drought, Forsyth County, Hall County, Jackson County, Cherokee County, Small Business Administration, Dawson County, Habersham County, White County, emergency loans, Lumpkin County, Banks County