***0 Disaster News***![](media/image1.png){width="1.5847222222222221in"
height="0.7277777777777777in"}

***Loans for Homeowners, Renters and Businesses of All Sizes***

SBA Disaster Assistance -- Field Operations Center- East - One Baltimore
Place, Suite 300 - Atlanta, GA 30308

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**Release Date:** August 29, 2007 **Contact:** Michael Lampton

**Release Number:** 07-654, OH 11012/11013 **Phones:** 404-347-3771

**SBA STANDS READY TO ASSIST VICTIMS OF RECENT STORMS, FLOODING AND
TORNADOES IN OHIO**

**WASHINGTON** -- Following the announcement of the Presidential
disaster declaration in Ohio covering several counties as a result of
severe storms, flooding and tornadoes August 20, 2007 and continuing,
Administrator Steven Preston of the U. S. Small Business Administration
issued the following statement:

"We look forward to working with the State of Ohio to make low-interest
federal disaster loans available to homeowners, renters and businesses,"
said Administrator Preston. "We will be swift in our efforts, along with
our partners at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to help Ohio
disaster victims rebuild their homes and businesses."

Once local recovery facilities are identified in the declared counties,
SBA officials will be providing one-on-one assistance to disaster loan
applicants.

The declared counties of Allen, Crawford, Hancock, Putnam, Richland and
Wyandot are eligible for both to apply for Physical and Economic Injury
Disaster Loans (EIDLs) from SBA. The contiguous counties of Ashland,
Auglaize, Defiance, Hardin, Henry, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow,
Paulding, Seneca, Van Wert and Wood in the State of Ohio are only
eligible to apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs).

Disaster loans up to \$200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or
replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are
eligible up to \$40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed
personal property.

Businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations may borrow
up to \$1.5 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real
estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of making
improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster
damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses only, SBA offers EIDLs to help meet working capital
needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of
whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 3.125 percent for homeowners and renters
and 4.000 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts
and terms are set by SBA and are based upon each applicant's financial
condition.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, victims must
first call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at
1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Additional details on the location of Disaster
Recovery Center(s) and the loan application process can be obtained by
calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage
is **[October 26, 2007.]{.underline}** The deadline to return economic
injury applications is **[May 27, 2008]{.underline}**.

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**For more information about the SBA's Disaster Loan Programs, visit our
web site at**
[*www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance*](http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance)