Residents, businesses and nonprofits in two Connecticut counties adjacent to a Massachusetts county that was the scene of a devastating apartment fire earlier this month qualify for federal low-interest loans and other SBA disaster aid, authorities say.
The Small Business Administration’s disaster declaration covering Tolland and Windham counties stems for the June 13 blaze at The Johnsonia apartments in Fitchburg, Mass.
Massachusetts Gov. Duval Patrick requested the SBA disaster declaration, which the agency formally granted Thursday. The declaration also covers Worcester County and the adjacent counties of Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex and Norfolk in Massachusetts.
Under SBA disaster-aid rules, counties contiguous to one declared a disaster area are eligible to apply for relief, SBA spokesman Michael Lampton said.
For applicants outside Worcester County, Mass., eligibility covers property damage, injuries or business disruptions sustained as a result of wafting smoke or ash from the fire that gutted the five-story building, Lampton said.
Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, authorities said. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
Businesses and nonprofits of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets, said Robert Nelson, SBA’s Massachusetts district director.
Applications can be made in person to the SBA’s temporary Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Worcester County Fitchburg Fire Department 33 North Street Fitchburg, Mass., from July 6-8, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For more information, contact SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov . Completed applications should be returned to the Center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
