Governor Rell Announces Disaster Loans Available

for Litchfield County Agriculture Businesses

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that federal disaster loans are available to agricultural cooperatives, small businesses and private, non-profit groups in Litchfield County that suffered losses from the severe weather that hit the area in the spring of 2008.

            The low-interest loans are available through the U.S. Small Business Administration to recover damages from heavy rains, flooding, hail and lightning as a result of storms that hit the region beginning May 1, 2008.

            “The current economic climate has made it difficult enough for small businesses. Setbacks from severe weather, a factor beyond anyone’s control, place an even greater burden on them,” Governor Rell said. “These federal loans can be a life-saver and I urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible to apply.”

            Eligible small businesses, agriculture cooperatives and non-profit groups may qualify for loans of up to $2 million at an interest rate of 4 percent and terms of up to 30 years. The operations in Litchfield County were deemed eligible following a disaster declaration from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for adjacent counties in New York State.

            “This assistance recognizes that disasters do not stop at the state lines,” said Frank Skaggs, director of the SBA’s eastern field office.

            For more information, contact the SBA:

·        By phone – 800-659-2955

·        By e-mail – disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

·        On the Web – www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance

The deadline for applications is August 4, 2009.