(WASHINGTON) --  Residents and businesses in eight North Carolina counties affected by tornadoes, high winds and severe weather on Jan. 11, can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Gov. Bev Perdue announced that SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers opened Thursday in hardest hit Burke and Rutherford counties.

“We are aggressively pursuing all possible assistance to help families repair their homes and begin rebuilding their lives,” said Perdue.

Businesses and non-profit organizations are eligible to borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment. This also include inventory, and other business assets.

"The SBA is strongly committed to providing the people of North Carolina with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes with federal disaster loans," said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. "Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA."

The loans are being made available in response to a letter from Gov. Perdue on Jan. 13, requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA. Disaster Loan Outreach Centers will remain open through Jan. 26.