Pocono News Section

Fire Assistance Available in Seven Counties

Fire Assistance Available in Seven Counties - Monday, November 9, 2009 at 05:24AM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Monday, Nov 9, 2009 @ 05:24am EST

BLOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY -- There's some good news this morning for victims of a fire that destroyed several buildings here late last month. Help is also being extended to seven counties total.

The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is stepping in to provide low-interest loans for the Bloomsburg fire victims. Three buildings, including five businesses and numerous apartments, were destroyed by flames on October 25th.

The businesses lost thousands of dollars worth of equipment. And at least 27 people were forced from their apartments -- losing everything from furniture to clothes to electronics.

The SBA is providing loans up to $200,000 for the building owners and $40,000 for the renters to replace personal property. Rates could be as low as 2.56%.

Governor Ed Rendell says assistance is now available to fire victims in the following counties: Columbia, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and Sullivan.

The SBA disaster loan outreach center will be located at the Columbia County Main Street Annex Office Building, Second Floor at 11 W. Main Street in Bloomsburg. It will be open on Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 8 a. m. until 4:30 p. m.; closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11 (in observance of Veterans Day); open again on Thursday, Nov. 12 and Friday, Nov. 13 from 8 a. m. to 4:30 p. m.; Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a. m. to noon; and Monday, Nov. 16 from 8 a. m. to 4:30 p. m.

SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the disaster loan outreach center to issue loan applications, answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals to complete their applications.

To learn more about the assistance and if you're eligible, you can call 1-800-U-ASK-SBA (1-800-827-5722) or copy and paste the following web site address in your web browser: http://www. sba. gov/services/disasterassistance/