Federal storm aid grows

Hillsborough and Manatee counties have been added to the list of primary counties eligible for disaster recovery loans from Tropical Storm Debby administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The disaster declaration, according to an SBA release, now covers 17 Florida counties, including four on the Gulf Coast: Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas. Businesses and nonprofit organizations in those counties are eligible for both physical and economic injury disaster loans from the SBA.

The SBA also announced that Sarasota County has been added to the list of neighboring counties, which are only eligible for economic injury disaster loans.