With the start of autumn on the horizon, many communities around the state are still dealing with the aftermath of powerful storms and record- breaking rainfall. In fact, according to the Indiana State Climate Office, this summer marked the second-wettest June and July on record in Indiana, totaling over 15 inches. Unfortunately, with this historic rainfall, overwhelming damage occurred to homes, businesses and the families who built them.
During these trying times in our community, I was thankful for the way residents came together to aid in the recovery efforts. I was also pleased to see swift action by our governor to provide avenues of relief for those impacted.
In July, the governor sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture requesting a secretarial disaster declaration for 53 Indiana counties –including Dearborn, Decatur, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland counties– due to crop damage and losses caused by flooding and excessive rain. This request was approved, allowing low-interest emergency loans to become immediately available to farmers in these counties in order to recover from production and physical losses.
These loans can be used to restore or replace essential property, pay essential family living expenses, pay all or part of production costs and more. Producers are able to borrow 100 percent of actual production or physical losses up to $500,000, but applications must be received within eight months of county’s disaster designation date. If you are a local farmer in need of assistance, visit http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=in&agency=fsa to learn more about the loan application process.
In addition, there are also low-interest disaster loans available for residents, businesses and non-profit organizations in Jefferson, Jennings, Ripley and Switzerland counties. Loans up to $200,000 are available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to assist homeowners in repairing or replacing damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are also eligible for up to $40,000 to cover damage to personal property such as clothing, furniture, appliances or cars.
Likewise, businesses and private non-profit organizations of any size can borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.
Applications are currently being accepted online and must be returned by Oct. 19. To apply, please visit the SBA website at http://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. Additional details on the loan application process can also be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
While some might have forgotten, the aftermath of this destructive weather is still a daily struggle for many in our community, so now, more than ever, our friends and neighbors need our continued support. As a state representative, I have always felt it is my duty to be a resource for our community. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office via email at h67@iga.in.gov or via phone at 317-234-3827. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with everyone impacted by the storms.
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