Four Corners Business Briefs

Nov. 11--December deadline for SBA drought disaster loans

SACRAMENTO -- Businesses in San Juan County as well as some counties in Arizona, Colorado and Utah have a month to finish applying for drought disaster relief loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Disaster Field Operations Center-West said in a press release Friday.

The application deadline is Dec. 12 for loans to offset economic injury due to drought conditions. "These low-interest loans are to offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought in the following primary counties that began April 1, 2018," the release states.

Garfield said small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may apply for loans of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.

"Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster's impact," said Garfield.

"SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the applicant suffered any property damage," Garfield said in the release.

The interest rate is 3.58 percent for businesses and 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.

The program excludes farming or ranching businesses, as they may qualify for aid from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster aid.

Applicants can download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or call (800) 659-2955, or email [email protected] for more information.

Medical center RN wins Nightingale Award

FARMINGTON -- The phrase "you're a real Florence Nightingale" is sometimes said in jest, but not in the case of San Juan Regional Medical Center Registered Nurse Allison Schurman. She was recognized by the New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence last month with its Nightingale Award.

The award for nurses in their first 18 months of work cites "outstanding and caring leadership and professionalism as a beginning practitioner," the hospital said in a press release.

Schurman received the honored in Albuquerque at the New Mexico Nursing Excellence Awards.

"I feel incredibly grateful to be one of the honorees and to be able to stand on that stage next to some of the best nurses in the state," Schurman said in the release. "As I go forward in my career, I hope to make as much of an impact as those amazing nurses and maybe one day I'll be up there again as a nursing legend."

Schurman earned her Associates Degree in Nursing from San Juan College in Farmington in December 2016. She started working on the Medical Floor at San Juan Regional Medical Center in January 2017.

"There is no end to the compliments I receive from patients about Allison," Medical Floor Assistant Manager Karen Huxley said in the release. "She is attentive, thorough and makes each patient feel as if they are the only patient she has that day. Her compassion and commitment to excellence shows through every patient care task she completes and with every medication she administers."

The hospital said Schurman has continued her professional development via coaching classes offered through the hospital, so she can help mentor new nurses. Schurman has a Trauma Nurse Certification and hopes to become a charge nurse. She recently became the representative on SJRMC's Shared Governance Committee, and volunteers in the community, the release said.

"She is one of the most selfless people I have ever met, and she just can't stop herself from helping anyone who needs it," Huxley said.

___

(c)2018 The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.)

Visit The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.) at www.daily-times.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.