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Federal agencies set up local offices
Published October 1, 2008
PEARLAND — More than 33,000 Brazoria County residents have applied for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and a Disaster Recovery Center now has been set up in Pearland.
The center is in the Sherwood Village Shopping Center, 3216 E. Broadway, and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, FEMA spokesman Simon Chabel said.
Small Business Administration loan representatives also have set up an office in Lake Jackson at Brazosport College for businesses only and will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Colton said.
Of the 33,043 county residents who have applied for FEMA assistance, 928 applied Monday alone, Chabel said. He encourages those who have not applied to do so and also apply for an SBA loan.
“We encourage everyone to fill those out even if they don’t want a loan,” Chabel said. “If they’re denied, FEMA could give them further grant assistance, but we can’t do that until they’ve applied and been turned down for a loan.”
Before going to the Disaster Recover Center, residents first should register with FEMA, if unable to do so, they should be able to register at the center, Small Business Association Communications Specialist Gary Colton said.
Everyone is eligible to apply for a small business loan at the Disaster Recovery Center, he said, but only businesses are eligible at the college site.
“Businesses of all sizes can apply for up to a $2 million loan to repair the building, replace their lost inventory, damaged equipment, office furniture, supplies and things like that,” Colton said.
Homeowners can receive up to $200,000 and up to $40,000 is available for personal property loans, Colton said.
Business owners who have not had damage to their physical property, but have lost business or been unable to generate revenue because of the storm, also are eligible for a loan to help pay fixed bills and stay in business.
“When they walk into the DRC there will be someone there from FEMA to meet them and ask questions.” Chabel said. “Usually they’ll ask, ‘Have you registered?’ and then if the answer is no, they can register them and start that process.”
During the process, residents will be asked questions to help representatives determine what kind of assistance is needed and what is available, Chabel said.
Representatives from FEMA, including mitigation experts who can help residents learn how to rebuild safer and stronger than before, and the SBA will be at the centers. Voluntary agencies such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army likely will be there as well, Chabel said.
“Every community’s got those great nonprofit and volunteer agencies that are really doing a lot of the work on the ground to help people get back on their feet, and so there’s plenty of information there about what kind of assistance is available,” Chabel said.
To make an appointment with the Small Business Administration, call (979) 230-3380.
Erin McKeon is a reporter for The Facts. Contact her at (979) 237-0152.
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