Gov. Beshear: Kentucky Receives Approval for SBA Disaster Declaration Following UPS Plane Crash; Loan Application Open for Eligible Businesses
Small businesses in Bullitt, Hardin, Oldham, Shelby and Spencer counties eligible to apply
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 18, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced his request was approved for a Disaster Declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) following the UPS plane crash on Nov. 4. Now, eligible businesses in Bullitt, Hardin, Oldham, Shelby and Spencer counties affected by the crash can apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan before the deadline of Aug. 17, 2026.
“This catastrophic crash took the lives of 14 of our people and devastated area businesses that support good jobs and provide services Kentuckians depend on,” said Gov. Beshear. “In every challenge we face, we act quickly to get the support our people need to overcome. These small business loans will help businesses – and our people – recover, which is the support the Louisville community needs and deserves right now.”
At approximately 5:14 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Nov. 4, UPS flight 2976 from Louisville, Kentucky, to Honolulu – an MD-11 – was involved in a catastrophic crash in Louisville that took the lives of 14 people, including three crew members and 11 citizens, and caused severe injuries to 18 others.
The crash, just south of the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, also caused extensive damages to businesses in the immediate area. Gov. Beshear submitted a letter of request to the SBA Administrator on Nov. 14, following a survey of the area by Louisville-Metro Emergency Management Services. The office identified 57 businesses in the immediate crash area that sustained damages ranging from total destruction to significant contamination.
Applications for disaster loans may be submitted online using the MySBA Loan Portal at lending.sba.gov. Please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center by email at [email protected] or by phone at 800-659-2955 for further assistance.
Following the Nov. 4 crash, the Governor declared a state of emergency and opened up a relief fund to help those affected.
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