Businesses that suffered damage from the May 16 tornado can now apply for zero-interest loans provided by the St. Louis Local Development Company.

The nonprofit corporation will provide up to $5,000 to for-profit organizations. Proceeds can be used for working capital needs or to purchase inventory or equipment.

The company’s buildings must have suffered physical damage from the storm to qualify for the funding. Groups that experienced a disruption to business operations are also eligible to apply.

The St. Louis Development Corporation and STL Partnership are working with LDC to manage around $2 million in tornado recovery loans.

Many businesses were severely impacted, and some are unable to return to normal operations, said Deion Broxton, a spokesman for the St. Louis Development Corp

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