CONGRESSMAN JOHN KLINE ADVISES RICE AND GOODHUE COUNTY RESIDENTS, BUSINESS OWNERS TO RETURN REQUESTS SOON

BURNSVILLE – Congressman John Kline is reminding residents and business owners who were affected by the severe storms and flooding in September to ensure they submit disaster loan applications by the Dec. 14, 2010 deadline. The U.S. Small Business Administration has already approved more than $5 million in Disaster Assistance Loans for Minnesotans affected by the flooding that occurred Sept. 22-23.

More than 80 home and business disaster loans have already been approved, totaling more than $5.1 million for affected victims, said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta. “We are pleased to be able to get these loans approved so the residents and businesses of Minnesota can start rebuilding and resuming their normal lives,” Skaggs said. “With the Dec. 14, 2010 deadline approaching, I encourage anyone who has not completed their disaster loan application to do so and return it as quickly as possible.”

The SBA offers low interest disaster loans to flood victims for physical losses up to its loan limits. The agency can increase approved loans for protective measures to lessen similar future damages. Additionally, small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations can obtain loans for unmet working capital needs. To be considered for assistance from the SBA, those affected by the disaster need to apply by the deadline.  

Counties in Minnesota’s 2nd district covered by the disaster declaration are Goodhue and Rice counties. Other Minnesota counties included in the declaration are Blue Earth, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Jackson, Martin, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan and Winona in Minnesota.

The deadline to return SBA applications for physical property damage is Dec. 14, 2010. The deadline to return applications for economic injury is July 15, 2011.

For information about the SBA Disaster Loan Program, to apply online, or obtain business application forms, please visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance, or call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities),  Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. CT. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

In his fourth term in Congress, John Kline is the top Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee. He is also a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

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