Loans available for storm victims
Homeowners and businesses affected by recent storms that caused severe flooding in pockets of Washington County and surrounding areas are now eligible for low-interest loans to help them rebuild.
The federal government’s Small Business Administration on Tuesday approved Gov. Tom Corbett’s request to release the disaster loans to people adversely affected by the flooding in Western Pennsylvania June 28 and July 10.
“Several weeks of heavy rain and severe storms have left their mark on much of Western Pennsylvania,” Corbett said in a press release. “We are grateful that the Small Business Administration granted our request to help victims get their lives in order as quickly as possible.”
State and federal emergency management workers traveled to northern Washington County on July 23 to assess the damage and determine whether this area qualifies for emergency aid. Ruth Miller, a spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, said the governor requested a major disaster declaration, but it’s still not known if the county qualifies for that funding.
However, the SBA program that was authorized this week offers up to $200,000 in low-interest loans for homeowners to repair or replace flood-damaged real estate and $40,000 to replace personal property. It also permits businesses and nonprofits to borrow up to $2 million for damage to buildings, inventory, merchandise and equipment.
In addition to Washington County, property owners and small businesses in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver Butler and Westmoreland counties may also be available for the loan assistance.
Anyone who would like to apply for the SBA disaster loans can go to the Allegheny County Airport’s main terminal in West Mifflin during normal business hours from today until Aug. 8.
For more information, contact the SBA’s customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. An application can be downloaded at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
The filing deadline for applications for physical property damage is Sept. 27, and the deadline for economic injury applications is April 29.