As hundreds of Iowans are called to military service to aid in America’s “new war on terrorism,” hundreds of Iowa businesses are feeling the pinch from lost staff members. Small businesses that employ reservists who’ve been activated may be eligible for what’s called a Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan. Cheryl Eftink, the director of the Des Moines office of the Small Business Administration, says the loss of a key employee can financially devastate a company and could even cause it to fail. She hopes the loans can help the businesses continue until they’re back at full staff. Eftink says all sorts of Iowa companies may be feeling the effects of a lost employee. She says it may hit hard in small companies where the lost of one or two reservists impacts the workforce.For details, call the S-B-A at (800) 366-6303 or surf the Internet to “www.sba.gov/disaster”.
