An emergency loan program for small businesses will soon be made available to Clark County workers, despite widespread confusion over the county’s omission from a list of areas eligible for the federal aid.

As of Thursday afternoon, Clark County still did not appear on the U.S. Small Business Administration’s online list of the 32 Washington counties that qualify for the Disaster Loan Assistance Program. But a representative for the agency confirmed that all of Washington would be eligible shortly.

“We’re expecting a declaration for Clark County very soon,” said Melanie Norton, spokeswoman for the administration’s Pacific Northwest branch.

The county’s initial omission from the list spooked some people in Southwest Washington, especially those who are self-employed and don’t have many other options as they watch their jobs evaporate during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Diane Spies, a self-employed manicurist who works out of a salon in Washougal, said she plans to apply for the loan as soon as it becomes available.