On Jan. 30, 2024, Governor Roy Cooper requested a disaster declaration from the Small Business Administration (SBA) after severe storms impacted North Carolina on Jan. 9. This prompted the SBA to approve low-interest disaster loans for businesses and residents in Catawba County and the adjacent counties of Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Iredell, and Lincoln. Businesses and residents in the declared area impacted by the storms can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the SBA.