Gov. Tom Corbett Wednesday announced the U.S. Small Business Administration approved his request to declare to declare the counties of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Fayette a disaster area after flooding in Western Pennsylvania from weather events starting June 27.

Citizens in the three counties and the 14 counties that border them may be eligible for low interest disaster loans through the SBA Disaster Loan Programs.  The bordering counties include; Armstrong, Blair, Clarion, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland.

Small Business Administration officials, along with local and state officials, conducted damage assessments at the site. The governor used the damage assessment results to support his assistance request to the SBA.

“The effects of the rainfall since June 27 have had impacts across Pennsylvania but the western part of the state has been hit the hardest,” Corbett said. “We are grateful that the Small Business Administration granted our request for assistance for those affected by the flooding.”

According to Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Glenn Cannon, the damage from the flooding exceeds the SBA criteria of at least 25 homes and/or businesses with uninsured losses of 40 percent or more of their estimated fair market value.

Low-interest loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. SBA regulations permit loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.

Businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million to restore damaged or destroyed buildings, inventory, equipment and assets. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial qualifications.

Click Here for SBA contacts in each of the affected counties and more details on how to obtain assistance.

NewsClips:

Fayette, Westmoreland Flood Victims May Apply For SBA Help

Federal, State Officials Continue To Assess Flood Damage

Flash Flooding Hits Areas Southeast Of Pittsburgh

Officials Tour Flood-Ravaged Areas Of Fayette

Flooded Allegheny County Businesses May Get Help

Families Put Lives Back Together After Tropical Storm Lee

7/22/2013