Nebraska and Iowa small businesses will be able to access federal loans typically for natural disasters.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts announced last Friday that the state has been approved by the U.S. Small Business for federal disaster loans, which will allow small businesses and nonprofit organizations to offset lost revenue related to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds made a similar announcement last Saturday.

Additional information on the loans is available at sba.gov.

Ricketts, speaking from a news conference at the state Capitol that his office plans to hold each weekday, said the Legislature will consider a $58.6 million emergency appropriation from the state’s cash reserves to fund virus response, Ricketts said.

The emergency funding would buy protective equipment for first responders and health care workers, along with paying for staffing at care facilities and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services as well as various needs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Ricketts said the state is considering extending its income tax filing deadline to match a federal delay until July 15. He said an announcement is expected next week.

Asked about curtailing evictions during the public health crisis, Ricketts made an appeal to landlords to avoid tossing out late tenants.

“We have got to help our neighbors out here,” Ricketts said. “Use common sense and good judgement. Do the right thing.”