Robards, Kentucky Local Business Exchange

The U.S. Small Business Administration has opened two Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Kentucky to help businesses and residents recover from severe storms, tornadoes, high winds, and flooding that occurred June 18–27, 2026.

The centers opened November 4 and 5 in Cumberland and Madison counties, providing in-person assistance with federal disaster loan applications.

Eligible businesses and nonprofit organizations may qualify for loans of up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged property, equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

The SBA announced the openings November 4, giving affected business owners additional opportunities to speak directly with federal disaster assistance representatives.

Two Assistance Centers Now Open

The first center opened November 4 at the Burkesville Fire Training Center, located at 219 Mill Street in Burkesville.

A second center opened November 5 at the Madison County Public Library, located at 507 West Main Street in Richmond.

Both locations operate Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The centers will temporarily close November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.

The Burkesville location will permanently close November 18 at 5 p.m., while the Richmond center will close November 19 at 5 p.m.

Walk-in visitors are welcome, and appointments can also be scheduled in advance.

Business Disaster Loans Available

The SBA offers physical disaster loans to eligible businesses and nonprofit organizations that experienced qualifying property damage.

These loans can help repair or replace damaged commercial buildings, machinery, equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

The maximum available business physical disaster loan is $2 million, although individual loan amounts depend on eligibility and documented losses.

The program is intended to help businesses restore operations following federally recognized disasters.

Unlike grants, disaster loans must be repaid under the terms established by the SBA.

Economic Injury Loans May Help Businesses Without Physical Damage

Businesses that experienced financial losses may also qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

These loans provide working capital to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofit organizations.

Importantly, a business does not necessarily need to have suffered physical property damage to qualify.

Eligible working capital expenses may include payroll, accounts payable, fixed debts, and other ordinary financial obligations that businesses cannot meet because of the disaster.

The SBA generally excludes agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers from these disaster loan programs, except for qualifying aquaculture enterprises.

Interest Rates and Repayment Terms

According to the SBA, disaster loan interest rates may be as low as 4% for businesses and 3.625% for nonprofit organizations.

Repayment terms can extend up to 30 years, depending on the applicant’s circumstances.

Interest does not begin accruing until 12 months after the first loan disbursement, and payments are not required during that initial period.

The SBA determines individual eligibility, loan amounts, interest rates, and repayment terms based on each applicant’s financial condition and applicable program requirements.

Application Deadlines

Businesses seeking assistance for physical property damage must submit applications by December 28, 2026.

The deadline for Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications is July 26, 2027.

These deadlines apply to different categories of disaster assistance, so affected businesses should determine which program addresses their losses.

Applications can be submitted online through the SBA’s disaster assistance website.

Business owners can also visit either Kentucky outreach center while it remains open to receive assistance with the application process.

Recovery Resources for Kentucky Businesses

The newly opened centers provide an additional resource for businesses navigating disaster recovery.

For companies facing damaged facilities, equipment replacement costs, or financial disruption, federal disaster loans may provide ...

Kentucky has received approval for 137 census tracts across 76 counties to participate in the next generation of the federal Opportunity Zones program.

Governor Andy Beshear announced the designations October 29, 2026.

The newly approved areas will become active January 1, 2027, under the updated Opportunity Zones 2.0 framework.

The program provides federal tax incentives intended to encourage long-term private investment in qualifying communities.

The latest announcement affects both rural and urban areas throughout Kentucky.

What Are Opportunity Zones?

Opportunity Zones are designated geographic areas where qualifying investments may receive preferential federal tax treatment.

The program was originally established in 2017 to encourage private investment in economically distressed communities.

Investors generally participate through Qualified Opportunity Funds, which are investment vehicles established to hold qualifying assets.

Depending on the investment structure and applicable tax requirements, investors may qualify for benefits involving capital gains.

The program is intended to encourage investment in businesses, commercial properties, and other qualifying economic development activities.

However, Opportunity Zone designation does not automatically provide grants, loans, or tax credits directly to every business located within the designated area.

137 Census Tracts Approved

Kentucky’s latest announcement identifies 137 approved census tracts distributed across 76 counties.

Jefferson County received the largest number of designations, with 18 census tracts.

Kenton County received seven designations.

Boone, Campbell, and Fayette counties each received five.

Warren and Pike counties received three designations each.

Additional approved areas are located in numerous smaller and rural counties throughout the state.

State officials reported that every county submitting a formal application for an eligible census tract received at least one designation.

Importantly, the designations apply to individual census tracts rather than entire counties.

A business located within a county containing an Opportunity Zone is not necessarily located inside the designated tract.

New Program Begins January 1

Opportunity Zones 2.0 establishes a new federal designation cycle beginning January 1, 2027.

Under the updated framework, designated census tracts will generally remain in effect for ten years.

The first cycle will extend through December 31, 2036.

Additional designation cycles are scheduled every ten years.

The updated program also introduces additional provisions involving qualifying investments in rural areas.

Federal guidance describes enhanced tax treatment for certain investments made through Qualified Rural Opportunity Funds.

However, individual investors must satisfy the applicable requirements to receive those benefits.

How Kentucky Selected Its Locations

Kentucky officials considered several factors when recommending census tracts for designation.

These included local economic development plans, existing infrastructure investments, industrial site development, and opportunities to attract additional private capital.

The state also considered locations associated with its Kentucky Product Development Initiative.

That program supports improvements to industrial sites and buildings intended to attract future business investment.

Local officials and community representatives participated in identifying areas that could potentially benefit from the designation.

What Business Owners Should Know

Business owners, property developers, and investors interested in Opportunity Zones should verify whether a specific property or business location falls within an approved census tract.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development maintains Opportunity Zone information and mapping resources.

The Internal Revenue Service provides guidance concerning qualifying investments and federal tax requirements.

Business owners should also distinguish between receiving investment from an Opportunity Fund and qualifying personally for federal tax benefits.

Not every business activity or investment structure qualifies.

For Kentucky communities, the newly approved designations establish additional geographic areas where qualifying private investment may receive federal tax incentives beginning in 2027.

Global logistics company Nissin International Transport U.S.A. plans to establish a new distribution center in Frankfort, Kentucky, through a $14.3 million investment expected to create 30 jobs.

Governor Andy Beshear announced the project October 29, 2026.

The new operation will be located in Franklin County Industrial Park 3, near U.S. Route 60 and Duncan Road.

The facility will primarily support automotive suppliers operating in Kentucky.

The investment represents Nissin’s first business operation in the state.

New Facility Will Support Automotive Manufacturing

Nissin provides logistics services involving freight transportation, warehousing, customs brokerage, and distribution.

The company’s new Franklin County facility will focus on supporting production activities associated with Toyota-affiliated suppliers.

Planned services include warehousing, depot storage, unpacking, assembly support, and other logistics activities involving automotive components.

These services help manufacturers coordinate the movement and preparation of materials used during production.

Automotive suppliers frequently require specialized storage and transportation arrangements to maintain production schedules.

By establishing a facility in Franklin County, Nissin intends to provide additional logistics capacity closer to participating suppliers.

The company identified requests for warehousing and logistics services from multiple regional suppliers as a factor supporting the investment.

International Company Expands Into Kentucky

Nissin International Transport U.S.A. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nissin Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

The parent company was established in 1938 and originally operated as a transportation business.

Nissin began operating in the United States in 1973.

Its international network now includes more than 400 offices and agents, along with approximately 200 warehouses across 23 countries.

The company employs more than 2,000 workers internationally.

The Frankfort project establishes an additional location within that network.

30 Full-Time Jobs Planned

The new distribution center is expected to create 30 full-time jobs.

The October 29 announcement does not provide a complete hiring schedule or individual salary ranges.

However, the company’s state incentive agreement includes an average hourly compensation target of $30, including benefits, across qualifying positions.

This requirement does not mean that every employee will receive an hourly wage of $30.

Prospective applicants should monitor official company employment information as the project advances.

State Approves Potential Tax Incentives

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved a 10-year incentive agreement for the project in September 2026.

The agreement could provide up to $500,000 in performance-based tax incentives.

To qualify, Nissin must meet annual investment and employment requirements.

These include creating and maintaining 30 full-time positions held by Kentucky residents.

The company may also receive assistance through Kentucky’s workforce development programs.

Available resources include recruitment support, job placement assistance, and customized employee training.

The tax incentives are specific to Nissin’s project and do not represent an open grant opportunity for other businesses.

Frankfort Adds Another Automotive Industry Operation

The new distribution center will expand logistics services available to manufacturers and suppliers operating in central Kentucky.

Although the facility will primarily serve automotive businesses, the announcement does not identify individual customer contracts or specific outside procurement opportunities.

Additional developments to monitor include facility preparation, equipment installation, recruitment, and the beginning of distribution operations.

For Frankfort and Franklin County, the project represents a planned $14.3 million investment and 30 projected jobs associated with automotive logistics and distribution.