Governor Whitmer Certifies U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Statement in Otsego County
LANSING, Michigan – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued an administrative disaster in Otsego County. The SBA disaster relief program will make low-interest loans available to residents and businesses affected by a tornado on May 20.
“This statement is an important step in getting the Gaylord community the necessary support and resources,” Governor Whitmer said. “It’s clear that this tornado had a huge impact on Otsego County. These loans will allow people and businesses to start rebuilding and ensure that the community continues to thrive.”
“Everyone who knows the Gaylord community knows that our people are strong and resilient to face challenges,” said State Senator Jim Stamas. “This statement of additional funds available will go a long way in alleviating the enormous burden that families and businesses have borne in the face of this catastrophe.”
The SBA disaster relief program provides low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofits to repair or replace damaged, destroyed or destroyed real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventories, and business assets. The SBA adjusts the repayment of each disaster loan to the financial capacity of the borrower. This statement includes Otsego County and all adjacent counties, including Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Kalkaska, Montmorency and Oscoda.
“The SBA is firmly committed to providing the people of Michigan with the most effective and customer-friendly response possible to help businesses, homeowners and renters of all sizes with federal disaster loans,” said SBA administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. “Starting a business and community after a disaster is our top priority in the SBA.”
The SBA will establish a Disaster Loan Disclosure Center to provide individual assistance in the affected area. Loan applications will also be available online or by mail. For more information on low-interest SBA loans or the application process, visit DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s.
“Businesses and private nonprofits can take $ 2 million to repair or replace real estate, machinery and equipment, inventories, and other business assets that have been damaged or destroyed by the disaster,” said Laketa District Henderson, Michigan District Director.
Based on information provided by the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, state officials asked SBA representatives to conduct a damage survey in the affected areas to document the physical property affected by homes and businesses. This survey was conducted on May 25th.
About the disaster On May 20, an EF-3 tornado landed in Otsego County, damaging infrastructure and damaging businesses and private property. On the same day, Governor Whitmer imposed a state of emergency in Otsego County. Declaring a state of emergency, Governor Whitmer made all state resources available in collaboration with local response and recovery efforts in the designated area. On June 8, Governor Whitmer sent a letter to the federal government requesting a Statement of Major Disasters in Otsego County. On July 2, FEMA denied the request. On July 8, the governor sent a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administration declaring the disaster in Otsego County.
