AUGUSTA (AP) – The Finance Authority of Maine is offering a helping hand to businesses that have been hurt by this winter’s lack of snow.

FAME is offering low-interest loans to Maine companies in snow-dependent regions that have lost business because of the low snowfall totals this season.

The interest rate was lowered from 9.5 percent to 5.5 percent on one-year economic recovery loans of $75,000 or less.

Eligible businesses must demonstrate a direct impact from this season’s unusually light snowfall amounts. The loans aim to provide businesses money to get through the season and give them time to plan for the future.