Federal Assistance Available For Cannon County Small Businesses

WOODBURY – Congressman Bart Gordon announced the U.S. Small Business Administration is making loans available to help Cannon County small businesses recover from the devastation of recent flooding.

“These loans will cushion the blow for businesses affected by the flooding,” said Gordon. “I encourage all small business owners who suffered economic losses to be in touch with FEMA promptly to find out about assistance that might be available to them.”

The Small Business Administration offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private non-profit organizations to help alleviate financial hardship caused by the flooding. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage. Loans can be used to help businesses meet necessary financial obligations that they could have met had the disaster not occurred. The agency can provide up to $2 million in loan assistance.

Businesses have until February 4, 2011, to file for economic injury assistance. To apply, business owners must register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or by visiting www.fema.gov.

Cannon County is currently eligible for the SBA assistance because it is adjacent to a county that has already been declared a disaster area by the President.

“My staff in Murfreesboro is standing by to help anyone who has questions about how to apply for assistance,” said Gordon.

The congressman’s Murfreesboro office can be reached at (615) 896-1986.