Gov. Tom Wolf Tuesday announced the U.S. Small Business Administration approved his request to declare Fayette County a disaster area after severe storms and flooding caused significant damage to homes and businesses on August 28.

“After visiting Fayette County in the week after storm, I know first-hand how devastating this storm was for many residents,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “In addition to the state resources provided by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and other state agencies, this federal assistance should provide the help needed for these communities to rebuild and residents to recover.”

Citizens in Fayette County, as well as neighboring Pennsylvania counties Greene, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans through the SBA Disaster Loan Programs.

After the storms, staff from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, along with local and SBA officials, conducted damage assessments within Fayette County. The governor used the damage assessment results to support his assistance request to the SBA.

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.

The SBA has established a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) at Fayette EMS, 301 S. Arch St., Connellsville, PA 15425. The center will be open the following dates and times:

-- Opening: September 22 at 10 a.m.  Hours: Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m

-- Open: September 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

-- Closed: September 25

-- Closing: September 29 at 4 p.m.

SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the disaster loan outreach center to issue loan applications, answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals to complete their applications.

Individuals and businesses unable to visit the center in person may obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), or by sending email to: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. 

Loan applications can also be downloaded at the SBA website. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website.

Completed applications should be returned to the center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is November 21, 2016. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 20, 2017.

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(Photo: KDKA CBS2 Pittsburgh.)

9/26/2016