The Diva is always looking for ways to help small business. This particular tidbit is only relevant if you are in Illinois, but if you are this may be the break you need.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding businesses that September 24 is the filing
deadline for federal economic injury disaster loans that are available to
small businesses located in the State of Illinois as a result of the drought
that occurred April 1 through December 31, 2007.

Small businesses in the following counties are eligible to apply:  Adams,
Alexander, Bond, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay,
Clinton, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edwards, Effingham,
Edgar, Fayette, Ford, Franklin, Fulton, Gallatin, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock,
Hardin, Henderson, Iroquois, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jersey, Johnson,
Knox, Lawrence, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Mason, Massac,
McDonough, McLean, Menard, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Peoria,
Perry, Piatt, Pike, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saint Clair, Saline,
Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Tazewell, Union, Vermilion, Washington,
Wabash, Warren, Wayne, White and Williamson.

Eligible small businesses may qualify for loans up to $1.5 million.  These
loans are available at a 4 percent interest rate with loan terms up to 30
years.

Interested business owners should contact SBA's Customer Service Center by
calling 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) Monday
through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
EDT.  Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA's website
at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.