Governor announces federal assistance granted for wildfire victims

Small Business Administration Resources Approved

        PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer today announced that her requests for federal disaster assistance were granted today for residents and businesses affected by the Wallow and Monument Fires. Special loans will be made available by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for qualifying wildfire victims.

        “I am extremely appreciative of the efforts by the Small Business Administration and its rapid response in dealing with the aftermath of the devastating wildfires,” said Governor Brewer. “I am grateful to the SBA and state and local teams for their fast action in assessing the damage, and to the federal government for its prompt approval of our request. This quick turn-around has given the Arizona victims of these fires peace of mind and assurance that they will have access to the resources needed to recover.”

        With approval of this SBA assistance, Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million each will be made available to Apache and Cochise Counties and the neighboring counties of Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Navajo and Santa Cruz Counties for small businesses to help pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that would otherwise go unpaid due to the wildfires.

        In addition, the SBA granted a Physical Disaster Declaration to Cochise County and the neighboring counties of Graham, Greenlee, Pima and Santa Cruz for homeowners to enable the disbursement of property damage loans of up to $200,000 each for the repair or replacement of damaged or destroyed real estate. Loans of up to $40,000 each will be available for eligible homeowners and renters to restore or replace clothing, furniture, vehicles and other items damaged or destroyed by the fires.

        Apache County business owners may visit the Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Eagar at Round Valley Public Library, 179 S. Main St., on July 13-14 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In Cochise County residents and business owners may visit the Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Sierra Vista at the Cochise County Service Center, 4001 E. Foothills Dr., opening Tuesday, July 12.  The Center will be open Monday through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  The Center will close on Thursday, July 28, 2011.