Home and business owners in Scioto and neighboring counties – including Lawrence – can now access federal disaster assistance to deal with the aftermath of May’s rainstorms.

Friday, June 08, 2001

Home and business owners in Scioto and neighboring counties – including Lawrence – can now access federal disaster assistance to deal with the aftermath of May’s rainstorms.

The U.S. Small Business Administration enacted its Disaster Assistance Program this week, opening a temporary office in South Webster on Thursday.

That decision comes on the heels of the county’s disaster declaration last week, and work by the Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency to survey damage and show federal officials the need for assistance.

The SBA’s program offers low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, landlords and business owners in Scioto, Lawrence, Pike, Adams and Jackson counties in Ohio; and Lewis and Greenup counties in Kentucky, said Michael C. Allen, SBA Disaster Area Director.

The loans would help people, whether they had some insurance or no insurance, who suffered damage during the May 17-26 severe thunderstorms, high winds and flooding, said U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, who applauded the SBA’s decision to grant the assistance.

Allen said the SBA will open the temporary loan office at South Webster City Hall, 138 N. Jackson St. The office will be open today until 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice.

"We want everyone who had any damage caused by the severe weather and flooding to come in and personally meet with an SBA loan officer," Allen said. "Our loan team will be glad to answer any questions about the disaster loan program, give you a disaster loan application and provide any extra help you may need or want with completing the application."

The deadline for physical damage applications is Aug. 3; the deadline for economic injury applications is March 4, 2002. More information is available on the Internet at the SBA’s homepage (http://www.sba.gov).