Governor Tim Pawlenty announced that a Small Business Administration Disaster Declaration was granted by the federal agency today. The Governor had requested the designation in response to damage caused by flooding of the Little Minnesota River in Browns Valley last month.

“Financial assistance from the SBA is one part of the recovery process for Browns Valley,” Governor Pawlenty said. “The state and community have come together to help our neighbors in Browns Valley recover from the flood and we’re pleased to have this help from the federal government.”

SBA Administrator Steven C. Preston announced that low-interest disaster loans will be made available to Minnesota residents affected by the severe flooding. He took the action following a letter from Governor Pawlenty sent last week requesting a disaster declaration by SBA. The declaration covers Traverse County and neighboring counties of Big Stone, Grant, Stevens and Wilkin in the State of Minnesota and Richland County in the state of North Dakota and Roberts County in the state of South Dakota.

In his letter, the Governor said that Traverse County qualifies for the emergency loan program because the SBA damage threshold of at least 25 homes and/or businesses with 40 percent or more uninsured losses has been met. The damage did not meet the requirements for a Presidential Disaster Declaration.

SBA Customer Service Representatives will be on hand at a Disaster Loan Outreach Center to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their applications.

In Browns Valley, the center is located at the Municipal Building (City Hall), 19 3rd Street South.

• Thursday, April 5, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday, April 6, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, April 7; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (one Saturday only)
• Monday – Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Individuals and businesses unable to visit SBA in person may obtain information and loan applications by calling toll-free (800) 659-2955.

The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is June 1, 2007. The deadline to return economic injury applications is January 2, 2008.

Home Physical Disaster Loans are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate not fully covered by insurance or other assistance, such as grants. Homeowners and renters may also borrow to repair or replace damaged personal property like furniture, clothing, and appliances. B

usiness Physical Disaster Loans are for businesses of all sizes to cover the cost of repairing or replacing damaged or destroyed real estate, inventory, supplies, machinery and equipment, and other business assets owned by the business, not covered by insurance or other assistance.

SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of making improvements to the property that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

Additional information can be found at www.sba.gov.