Governor Rell Announces Disaster Loans Available

for Agriculture Businesses in 4 Counties

Hartford, Litchfield, Tolland and Windham Counties Eligible

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

            The low-interest loans are available through the U.S. Small Business Administration to recover damages from a severe ice storm. Governor Rell said the operations in those four counties were deemed eligible following a disaster declaration from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for adjacent counties in Massachusetts.

            “This much-needed assistance recognizes that natural disasters do not stop at state lines,” Governor Rell said. “Small businesses are already under tremendous economic burden and these natural disasters are beyond anyone’s control. I encourage all eligible enterprises 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. 

            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 December 14, 2009.