WHITE PLAINS, NY – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) this week wrote to the Small Business Administration (SBA) to push for approval of federal aid for small business owners in Pelham. A rock slide in late December severely hurt a number of businesses in the Village.
“This rock slide was a disaster for business owners in Pelham. Some of them have had to close their doors, and others are considering that terrible choice. They need assistance as soon as possible,” said Lowey.
The rock slide occurred after midnight on December 20, 2005. Although no one was hurt, it caused serious financial losses to sixteen businesses on 5th Avenue, including the complete displacement of eight. Congresswoman Lowey has been working with the Village to compile the information necessary to apply for an economic injury designation for the affected businesses. Such a declaration would allow the business owners to apply for low-interest SBA loans.
This week, New York Governor George Pataki approved the designation and forwarded the Village’s petition to the SBA. Congresswoman Lowey wrote to Hector V. Barreto, the Administrator of the SBA, to urge quick action on the Village’s petition. The SBA will make the final determination on whether to provide federal assistance.
“It is clear to me that these businesses have been severely damaged because of a natural disaster beyond their control,” said Lowey. “I will continue to push for economic assistance from the Small Business Administration so that business owners and the Village of Pelham will not be irreparably harmed by this disaster.”
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March 2, 2006
Mr. Hector V. Barreto
Administrator
Small Business Administration
409 Third Street, SW
Washington, DC 20416
Dear Administrator Barreto:
I am writing in strong support of the request made to you today by New York State Governor George Pataki seeking a Declaration of Economic Injury for the Downtown Pelham area due to a rock slide that occurred after midnight on December 20, 2005.
We are all grateful that this disaster occurred in the middle of the night and no one was physically harmed, but this unfortunate event has caused serious financial loss to 16 business owners, including complete displacement of 8 businesses. This rock slide completely destroyed the building at 100-112 5th Avenue; caused substantial damage to the building at 116 5th Avenue, which is home to the Pelham Medical Group, and made the building located at 126-142A 5th Avenue unsafe to re-open. The losses that continue to accumulate with every day that these businesses are unable to operate not only make life increasingly difficult for the business owners, their employees, and all of their families to meet everyday responsibilities, but negatively impact the residents of Pelham through lost revenues.
I recently met with the business owners affected by this disaster and they face many challenges in the days and months ahead. Fighting to receive the assistance they so desperately need and deserve from government should not be one of them. If you need any additional information or I can be of any assistance as you process this request, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I thank you for your consideration of this important application and for keeping me apprised of its status.
Sincerely,
