Disaster Programs Available for the 2011 Crop Year

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5 Dear Friends of Agriculture: With the massive flooding experienced due to recent storms, I know many of you have sustained significant damages to your homes, farms and agricultural businesses. As you begin the rebuilding process, the state stands ready to act as a partner in ensuring efficient and timely assistance. Please utilize the following programs to help in your recovery efforts and reference the Presidential Disaster Declaration to ensure that you are taking full advantage of aid that is available during this trying time. Sincerely, George D. Greig Secretary Disaster Programs Available for the 2011 Crop Year Conservation Programs: Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) - Provides emergency funding and technical assistance to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters. Eligible practices include debris removal, grading, shaping, re-leveling, restoring permanent fences, and restoring conservation structures. USDA Farm Service Agency Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) - The program provides technical and financial assistance to preserve life and property threatened by excessive erosion and flooding. Owners, managers and users of public, private or tribal lands are eligible for EWP assistance if their watershed area has been damaged by a natural disaster. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Emergency Watershed Protection Program Floodplain Easements - Provides for the purchase of floodplain easements as an emergency measure. Floodplain easements restore, protect, maintain and enhance the functions of the floodplain; conserve natural values including fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, flood water retention, ground water recharge and open space; reduce long-term federal disaster assistance; and safeguard lives and property from floods, drought and the products of erosion. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) - Provides payments to eligible owners of nonindustrial private forest land to carry out measures to restore land damaged by a natural disaster. USDA Farm Service Agency Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE) - Provides compensation to eligible producers on NAP coverable or insurable crop losses on prevented planted acreage, reduced production on planted acres, reduced quality on certain crops and/or on value loss crops including nursery and aquaculture. Producers must have crop insurance or NAP coverage on all crops to be eligible and a portion of the farming operation must be located in a county declared a primary or contiguous Secretarial Disaster. USDA Farm Service Agency Tree Assistance Program for Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers (TAP) - Provides financial assistance to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, shrubs or vines damaged by natural disasters. Producers must have crop insurance or NAP coverage on the eligible crop. For example, apples must be covered for apple trees to be eligible. USDA Farm Service Agency Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) - Provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or prevented planting occur as the result of a natural disaster. Producers must have obtained NAP coverage by the sales closing date for the crop, similar to crop insurance. USDA Farm Service Agency

6 Livestock, Honeybees and Farm Raised Fish Programs: Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) - Provides compensation for death losses of eligible livestock in excess of normal mortality. Losses must be due to an eligible disaster condition, and livestock must be maintained as part of a commercial farming operation. USDA Farm Service Agency Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP) - Provides compensation for losses not covered under any other disaster program, specifically LFP, LIP and SURE. Program compensates for eligible death losses, loss of stored feed and excess feed costs when expenses are incurred due to eligible disaster conditions. In certain cases, producers must have crop insurance or NAP coverage to qualify, depending on the losses claimed. USDA Farm Service Agency Loan Programs: Emergency Loans - Eligible producers may obtain a low interest loan to assist in recovering from disaster events. A disaster designation (Presidential, Secretarial or Administrator s Physical Loss Notification) must be made for the county. Loan proceeds must be used for eligible expenses. USDA Farm Service Agency U.S. Small Business Administration Loans - Whether you rent or own your home, own your own business, or own a small agricultural cooperative located in a declared disaster area and are the victim of a disaster, you may be eligible for financial assistance. U.S. Small Business Administration Visit for information about loans available and deadlines for filing. Call Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at Other Programs: PAgrows - PAgrows helps agribusinesses access the money they need to begin, continue and expand their business. It provides one-on-one on farm assistance and presentations to various stakeholder groups. PAgrows also works directly with other state and federal agencies as well as their statewide service providers to help make the process of finding the right program and seeing it through to completion as simple as possible. PA Department of Agriculture Call or visit Food Safety - Knowing how to minimize potential loss of food and reduce the risk of food borne illness will help you keep your family safe during an emergency. The website provides consumers with a wealth of information about food safety during emergency situations. PA Department of Agriculture Call Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) - Provides financial and reemployment assistance to certain individuals whose employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster. PA Department of Labor and Industry Call Housing Assistance The website is a free service to list and find affordable homes and apartments across Pennsylvania. The service is to help those displaced by the September flooding, and provides links to help you find the help you need. Program sponsored by various PA state agencies. Call For more information on FSA ( and NRCS ( programs, contact your county FSA/NRCS office. Phone numbers are available in the U.S. Government section of your phone book. Federal Emergency Management Agency: FEMA Note: Varying eligibility requirements may apply to all programs listed.

7 /12/2011 U. S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION FACT SHEET - DISASTER LOANS PENNSYLVANIA Declaration #12820 & #12821 (Disaster: PA-00042) Incident: Hurricane Irene Occurring: August 26, 2011 through August 30, 2011 For the Counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Sullivan and Wyoming; and for Economic Injury Only the contiguous counties of Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lycoming, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna and Wayne in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; contiguous New Castle County in the State of Delaware; contiguous Cecil County in the State of Maryland; and contiguous counties of Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Sussex and Warren in the State of New Jersey. Application Filing Deadlines: Physical Damage: November 14, 2011 Economic Injury: June 12, 2012 Whether you rent or own your own home, own your own business, or own a small agricultural cooperative located in a declared disaster area, and are the victim of a disaster, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA). What Types of Disaster Loans are Available? Home Disaster Loans Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate or personal property owned by the victim. Renters are eligible for their personal property losses, including automobiles. Business Physical Disaster Loans Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period. EIDL assistance is available only to entities and their owners who cannot provide for their own recovery from non-government sources, as determined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). What are the Credit Requirements? Credit History Applicants must have a credit history acceptable to SBA. Repayment Applicants must show the ability to repay all loans. Collateral Collateral is required for physical loss loans over $14,000 and all EIDL loans over $5,000. SBA takes real estate as collateral when it is available. SBA will not decline a loan for lack of collateral, but requires you to pledge what is available. What are the Interest Rates? By law, the interest rates depend on whether each applicant has Credit Available Elsewhere. An applicant does not have Credit Available Elsewhere when SBA determines the applicant does not have sufficient funds or other resources, or the ability to borrow from non-government sources, to provide for its own disaster recovery. An applicant, which SBA determines to have the ability to provide for his or her own recovery is deemed to have Credit Available Elsewhere. Interest rates are fixed for the term of the loan. The interest rates applicable for this disaster are: No Credit Available Credit Available Elsewhere Elsewhere Home Loans 2.500% 5.000% Business Loans 4.000% 6.000% Non-Profit Organization Loans 3.000% 3.250% Economic Injury Loans Businesses and Small Agricultural Cooperatives 4.000% N/A Non-Profit Organizations 3.000% N/A

8 09/12/2011 What are Loan Terms? The law authorizes loan terms up to a maximum of 30 years. However, the law restricts businesses with credit available elsewhere to a maximum 3-years term. SBA sets the installment payment amount and corresponding maturity based upon each borrower s ability to repay. What are the Loan Amount Limits? Home Loans SBA regulations limit home loans to $200,000 for the repair or replacement of real estate and $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Subject to these maximums, loan amounts cannot exceed the verified uninsured disaster loss. Business Loans The law limits business loans to $2,000,000 for the repair or replacement of real estate, inventories, machinery, equipment and all other physical losses. Subject to this maximum, loan amounts cannot exceed the verified uninsured disaster loss. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) The law limits EIDL(s) to $2,000,000 for alleviating economic injury caused by the disaster. The actual amount of each loan is limited to the economic injury determined by SBA, less business interruption insurance and other recoveries up to the administrative lending limit. SBA also considers potential contributions that are available from the business and/or its owner(s) or affiliates. Business Loan Ceiling The $2,000,000 statutory limit for business loans applies to the combination of physical, economic injury, mitigation and refinancing, and applies to all disaster loans to a business and its affiliates for each disaster. If a business is a major source of employment, SBA has the authority to waive the $2,000,000 statutory limit. What Restrictions are there on Loan Eligibility? Uninsured Losses Only uninsured or otherwise uncompensated disaster losses are eligible. Any insurance proceeds which are required to be applied against outstanding mortgages are not available to fund disaster repairs and do not reduce loan eligibility. However, any insurance proceeds voluntarily applied to any outstanding mortgages do reduce loan eligibility. Ineligible Property Secondary homes, personal pleasure boats, airplanes, recreational vehicles and similar property are not eligible, unless used for business purposes. Property such as antiques and collections are eligible only to the extent of their functional value. Amounts for landscaping, swimming pools, etc., are limited. Noncompliance Applicants who have not complied with the terms of previous SBA loans are not eligible. This includes borrowers who did not maintain flood and/or hazard insurance on previous SBA or Federally insured loans. Is There Help with Funding Mitigation Improvements? If your loan application is approved, you may be eligible for additional funds to cover the cost of improvements that will protect your property against future damage. Examples of improvements include retaining walls, seawalls, sump pumps, etc. Mitigation loan money would be in addition to the amount of the approved loan, but may not exceed 20 percent of total amount of disaster damage to real estate and/or leasehold improvements, as verified by SBA to a maximum of $200,000 for home loans. It is not necessary for the description of improvements and cost estimates to be submitted with the application. SBA approval of the mitigating measures will be required before any loan increase. Is There Help Available for Refinancing? SBA can refinance all or part of prior mortgages that are evidenced by a recorded lien, when the applicant (1) does not have credit available elsewhere, (2) has suffered substantial uncompensated disaster damage (40 percent or more of the value of the property), and (3) intends to repair the damage. Homes Homeowners may be eligible for the refinancing of existing liens or mortgages on homes, in some cases up to the amount of the loan for real estate repair or replacement. Businesses Business owners may be eligible for the refinancing of existing mortgages or liens on real estate, machinery and equipment, in some cases up to the amount of the loan for the repair or replacement of real estate, machinery, and equipment. What if I Decide to Relocate? You may use your SBA disaster loan to relocate. The amount of the relocation loan depends on whether you relocate voluntarily or involuntarily. If you are interested in relocation, an SBA representative can provide you with more details on your specific situation. Are There Insurance Requirements for Loans? To protect each borrower and the Agency, SBA may require you to obtain and maintain appropriate insurance. By law, borrowers whose damaged or collateral property is located in a special flood hazard area must purchase and maintain flood insurance for the full insurable value of the property for the life of the loan. For more information, contact SBA s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) , ing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA s Web site at Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA s secure Web site at

9 /12/2011 U. S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION FACT SHEET - DISASTER LOANS PENNSYLVANIA Declaration #12822 & #12823 (Disaster: PA-00044) Incident: Tropical Storm Lee Occurring: September 3, 2011 and continuing For the Counties of Adams, Bradford, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union, Wyoming and York; and for Economic Injury Only the contiguous counties of Berks, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clinton, Franklin, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Mifflin, Monroe, Potter, Tioga and Wayne in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and contiguous counties of Broome, Chemung and Tioga in the State of New York. Application Filing Deadlines: Physical Damage: November 14, 2011 Economic Injury: June 12, 2012 Whether you rent or own your own home, own your own business, or own a small agricultural cooperative located in a declared disaster area, and are the victim of a disaster, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA). What Types of Disaster Loans are Available? Home Disaster Loans Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate or personal property owned by the victim. Renters are eligible for their personal property losses, including automobiles. Business Physical Disaster Loans Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period. EIDL assistance is available only to entities and their owners who cannot provide for their own recovery from non-government sources, as determined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). What are the Credit Requirements? Credit History Applicants must have a credit history acceptable to SBA. Repayment Applicants must show the ability to repay all loans. Collateral Collateral is required for physical loss loans over $14,000 and all EIDL loans over $5,000. SBA takes real estate as collateral when it is available. SBA will not decline a loan for lack of collateral, but requires you to pledge what is available. What are the Interest Rates? By law, the interest rates depend on whether each applicant has Credit Available Elsewhere. An applicant does not have Credit Available Elsewhere when SBA determines the applicant does not have sufficient funds or other resources, or the ability to borrow from non-government sources, to provide for its own disaster recovery. An applicant, which SBA determines to have the ability to provide for his or her own recovery is deemed to have Credit Available Elsewhere. Interest rates are fixed for the term of the loan. The interest rates applicable for this disaster are: No Credit Available Credit Available Elsewhere Elsewhere Home Loans 2.500% 5.000% Business Loans 4.000% 6.000% Non-Profit Organization Loans 3.000% 3.250% Economic Injury Loans Businesses and Small Agricultural Cooperatives 4.000% N/A Non-Profit Organizations 3.000% N/A

10 09/12/2011 What are Loan Terms? The law authorizes loan terms up to a maximum of 30 years. However, the law restricts businesses with credit available elsewhere to a maximum 3-years term. SBA sets the installment payment amount and corresponding maturity based upon each borrower s ability to repay. What are the Loan Amount Limits? Home Loans SBA regulations limit home loans to $200,000 for the repair or replacement of real estate and $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Subject to these maximums, loan amounts cannot exceed the verified uninsured disaster loss. Business Loans The law limits business loans to $2,000,000 for the repair or replacement of real estate, inventories, machinery, equipment and all other physical losses. Subject to this maximum, loan amounts cannot exceed the verified uninsured disaster loss. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) The law limits EIDL(s) to $2,000,000 for alleviating economic injury caused by the disaster. The actual amount of each loan is limited to the economic injury determined by SBA, less business interruption insurance and other recoveries up to the administrative lending limit. SBA also considers potential contributions that are available from the business and/or its owner(s) or affiliates. Business Loan Ceiling The $2,000,000 statutory limit for business loans applies to the combination of physical, economic injury, mitigation and refinancing, and applies to all disaster loans to a business and its affiliates for each disaster. If a business is a major source of employment, SBA has the authority to waive the $2,000,000 statutory limit. What Restrictions are there on Loan Eligibility? Uninsured Losses Only uninsured or otherwise uncompensated disaster losses are eligible. Any insurance proceeds which are required to be applied against outstanding mortgages are not available to fund disaster repairs and do not reduce loan eligibility. However, any insurance proceeds voluntarily applied to any outstanding mortgages do reduce loan eligibility. Ineligible Property Secondary homes, personal pleasure boats, airplanes, recreational vehicles and similar property are not eligible, unless used for business purposes. Property such as antiques and collections are eligible only to the extent of their functional value. Amounts for landscaping, swimming pools, etc., are limited. Noncompliance Applicants who have not complied with the terms of previous SBA loans are not eligible. This includes borrowers who did not maintain flood and/or hazard insurance on previous SBA or Federally insured loans. Is There Help with Funding Mitigation Improvements? If your loan application is approved, you may be eligible for additional funds to cover the cost of improvements that will protect your property against future damage. Examples of improvements include retaining walls, seawalls, sump pumps, etc. Mitigation loan money would be in addition to the amount of the approved loan, but may not exceed 20 percent of total amount of disaster damage to real estate and/or leasehold improvements, as verified by SBA to a maximum of $200,000 for home loans. It is not necessary for the description of improvements and cost estimates to be submitted with the application. SBA approval of the mitigating measures will be required before any loan increase. Is There Help Available for Refinancing? SBA can refinance all or part of prior mortgages that are evidenced by a recorded lien, when the applicant (1) does not have credit available elsewhere, (2) has suffered substantial uncompensated disaster damage (40 percent or more of the value of the property), and (3) intends to repair the damage. Homes Homeowners may be eligible for the refinancing of existing liens or mortgages on homes, in some cases up to the amount of the loan for real estate repair or replacement. Businesses Business owners may be eligible for the refinancing of existing mortgages or liens on real estate, machinery and equipment, in some cases up to the amount of the loan for the repair or replacement of real estate, machinery, and equipment. What if I Decide to Relocate? You may use your SBA disaster loan to relocate. The amount of the relocation loan depends on whether you relocate voluntarily or involuntarily. If you are interested in relocation, an SBA representative can provide you with more details on your specific situation. Are There Insurance Requirements for Loans? To protect each borrower and the Agency, SBA may require you to obtain and maintain appropriate insurance. By law, borrowers whose damaged or collateral property is located in a special flood hazard area must purchase and maintain flood insurance for the full insurable value of the property for the life of the loan. For more information, contact SBA s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) , ing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA s Web site at Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA s secure Web site at

11 U. S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Office of Disaster Assistance - Field Operations Center East 101 Marietta Street NW Suite 700 TTD Atlanta, Georgia September 23, 2011 (Presidential Hurricane Irene August 26-30, 2011) PENNSYLVANIA #12820 and (PA-00042) Deadlines: November 14, 2011 (Physical) June 12, 2012 (EI) PA Primary Counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Sullivan and Wyoming; and, for Economic Injury Only contiguous PA Counties #12821: Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lycoming, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna and Wayne; Contiguous DE County #12821: New Castle; Contiguous MD County #12821: Cecil; Contiguous NJ Counties #12821: Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Sussex and Warren. FEMA Teleregistration: FEMA (3362) SBA Customer Service Center: (Mon.-Fri. 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Sat/Sun 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, ET) Mailing Address: SBA Disaster Assistance FEMA/SBA JFO (Not open to the public) 2801 Valley Road Processing and Disbursement Center Harrisburg PA Kingsport Road Open 7 Days a Week; 7A to 7P Fort Worth, TX FEMA/SBA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) Open 7 Days a Week; 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Bucks County Chester County Delaware County Neshaminy Mall Chester County Admin. Bldg. Darby Township Municipal Building Route 1 & Bristol Road 10 Westtown Road 21 Bartram Avenue Bensalem PA West Chester PA Glenolden PA Opens Sat, Sep 24 at 1PM Luzerne County Montgomery County Philadelphia County Luzerne Co. Community College Montgomery Co. Public Training Campus Packard Building Public Safety Training Center 1175 Conshohocken Road 111 South 15 th Street 1333 S. Prospect Street Conshohocken PA Philadelphia PA Nanticoke PA Sullivan County Wyoming County SBA BRC - Luzerne County Loyalsock State Forest District Office Tunkhannock Area Admin. Bldg. Stegmaier Building 6735 Route 220 Gymnasium 7 Wilkes-Barre Boulevard LaPorte PA Philadelphia Avenue Wilkes-Barre PA Tunkhannock PA Opens Mon, Sep 26 at 9 AM Hours: Mon Fri; 9 AM to 6 PM

12 U. S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Office of Disaster Assistance - Field Operations Center East 101 Marietta Street NW Suite 700 TTD Atlanta, Georgia September 23, 2011 (Presidential Tropical Storm Lee September 3, 2011 and continuing) PENNSYLVANIA #12822 and (PA-00044) Deadlines: November 14, 2011 (Physical) June 12, 2012 (EI) PA Primary Counties: Adams, Bradford, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union, Wyoming and York; and, for Economic Injury Only contiguous PA Counties #12823: Berks, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clinton, Franklin, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Mifflin, Monroe, Potter, Tioga and Wayne; Contiguous MD Counties #12823: Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick and Harford; Contiguous NY Counties #12823: Broome, Chemung and Tioga. FEMA Teleregistration: FEMA (3362) SBA Customer Service Center: (Mon.-Fri. 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Sat/Sun 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, ET) Mailing Address: SBA Disaster Assistance FEMA/SBA JFO (Not open to the public) 2801 Valley Road Processing and Disbursement Center Harrisburg PA Kingsport Road Open 7 Days a Week; 7A to 7P Fort Worth, TX FEMA/SBA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) Open 7 Days a Week; 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Bradford County Columbia County Cumberland Dauphin County Towanda Fire Hall Columbia County Ag Ctr. West Enola Fire Company Old Boscov s Bldg. 101 Elm Street 702 Sawmill Road 118 Chester Street Harrisburg East Mall Towanda PA Bloomsburg PA Enola PA Paxton Street Opens Fri, Sep 23 at 1PM Harrisburg PA Lancaster County Lebanon County Luzerne County Lycoming County M&T Bank Bldg. Lebanon Valley Mall Luzerne Co. Comm. College 740 Fairfield Road 2270 Erin Court 22 nd & Cumberland Streets Public Safety Training Center Montoursville PA Lancaster PA Lebanon PA S. Prospect Street Nanticoke PA 18634

13 Pennsylvania September 23, 2011 Page 2 Northumberland Schuylkill County Snyder County Sullivan County Career Link Center Pine Grove Hook & Ladder Co. Career Link Center Loyalsock State Forest District Office 2 East Arch Street 1 Orchard Street 713 Bridge Street 6735 Route 220 Shamokin PA Pine Grove PA Selinsgrove PA LaPorte PA Opens Sat, Sep 24 at 1PM Susquehanna County Wyoming County SBA BRC - Luzerne County Hallstead Fire Dept. Tunkhannock Area Admin. Bldg. Stegmaier Building 133 Lackawanna Ave Gymnasium 7 Wilkes-Barre Boulevard Hallstead PA Philadelphia Avenue Wilkes-Barre PA Tunkhannock PA Opens Mon, Sep 26 at 9 AM Hours: Mon Fri; 9 AM to 6 PM

14 DISASTER NEWS Loans for Homeowners, Renters and Businesses of All Sizes SBA Disaster Assistance Field Operations Center- East 101 Marietta Street, NW, Suite 700, Atlanta, GA Release Date: September 14, 2011 Contact: Michael Lampton Release Number: , PA 12822/12823 Phone: Tropical Storm Lee Survivors in Pennsylvania can Apply for SBA Assistance WASHINGTON U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Karen G. Mills issued the following statement after the announcement of the Presidential disaster declaration for several counties in Pennsylvania affected by Tropical Storm Lee beginning on Sept. 3. The U.S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing the people of Pennsylvania with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist homeowners, renters, and businesses with federal disaster loans. Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA. The disaster declaration covers the counties of Adams, Bradford, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union, Wyoming and York in Pennsylvania, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private non-profit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Berks, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clinton, Franklin, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Mifflin, Monroe, Potter, Tioga and Wayne in Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford in Maryland; and Broome, Chemung and Tioga in New York. Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible up to $40,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses and private non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. The SBA may increase a loan up to 20 percent of the total amount of disaster damage to real estate and/or leasehold improvements, as verified by SBA, to make improvements that lessen the risk of property damage by future disasters of the same kind. For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage. Interest rates are as low as 2.5 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant s financial condition. -more-

15 To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at FEMA (3362), (TTY) for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Additional details on the locations of Disaster Recovery Centers and the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at ( for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an to Those affected by the disaster may also apply for disaster loans electronically from SBA s website at The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is November 14, The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 12, # # # For more information about the SBA s Disaster Loan Program, visit our website at

16 DISASTER NEWS Loans for Homeowners, Renters and Businesses of All Sizes SBA Disaster Assistance Field Operations Center- East 101 Marietta Street, NW, Suite 700, Atlanta, GA Release Date: September 14, 2011 Contact: Michael Lampton Release Number: , PA 12820/12821 Phone: Hurricane Irene Survivors in Pennsylvania can Apply for SBA Assistance WASHINGTON U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Karen G. Mills issued the following statement after the announcement of the Presidential disaster declaration for several counties in Pennsylvania affected by Hurricane Irene on Aug , The U.S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing the people of Pennsylvania with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist homeowners, renters, and businesses with federal disaster loans. Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA. The disaster declaration covers the counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Sullivan and Wyoming in Pennsylvania, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private non-profit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lycoming, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna and Wayne in Pennsylvania; New Castle in Delaware; Cecil in Maryland; and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Sussex and Warren in New Jersey. Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible up to $40,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses and private non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. The SBA may increase a loan up to 20 percent of the total amount of disaster damage to real estate and/or leasehold improvements, as verified by SBA, to make improvements that lessen the risk of property damage by future disasters of the same kind. For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage. Interest rates are as low as 2.5 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant s financial condition. -more-

17 To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at FEMA (3362), (TTY) for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Additional details on the locations of Disaster Recovery Centers and the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at ( for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) Monday Friday, from 8 a..m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or by sending an to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Those affected by the disaster may also apply for disaster loans electronically from SBA s website at The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is November 14, The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 12, # # # For more information about the SBA s Disaster Loan Program, visit our website at