Severe Flooding has Displaced Families and Affected Numerous Small Businesses in the Area / Recognition as a Disaster Area Would Allow Those Impacted to Have Access to Low Interest Loans
Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) wrote a letter to the Small Business Administration in support of Pennsylvania’s request to declare Elk County as a disaster area following recent flooding. If the request is approved, residents and small business owners would become eligible for low interest loans through the Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loan Program.
“Flooding that occurred last week in Elk County has the potential to create a long term drag on the local economy,” Senator Casey said. “It is critical that we attempt to mitigate the damaging effects by aiding impacted residents and small business owners as they try to restore order to the community. Providing access to low interest loans is a good first step to begin the recovery process.”
The text of Senator Casey’s letter is below:
The Honorable Karen G. Mills
Administrator
U.S. Small Business Administration
409 3rd Street, S.W. Suite 7000
Washington, DC 20024-3212
Dear Administrator Mills:
I write in strong support of the request by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to declare Elk County as a disaster area following severe flooding experienced in the county last week. The flooding has affected numerous home and small business owners in the area and has displaced many residents.
Declaring Elk County as a disaster area may allow residents and small business owners to become eligible for low interest disaster loans through the Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loan Program. These low interest loans are crucial to helping residents get back on their feet and allowing small businesses to open their doors as soon as possible. I would urge you to declare Elk County a disaster area and to take action to approve low interest loans for the affected residents and businesses.
I respectfully request that you expedite your consideration of this request and keep me informed of any new developments. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly. Thank you for your attention to this request.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
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