SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Colorado Residents and Businesses Affected by the Manitou Springs Flash Flood

Press Release from the Small Business Adminstration:  August 30, 2013

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Colorado residents and business owners affected by Manitou Springs flash flood that occurred August 9, 2013, U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Karen G. Mills announced today. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Gov. John W. Hickenlooper on August 29, 2013.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in El Paso County and the neighboring counties of Crowley, Douglas, Elbert, Fremont, Lincoln, Pueblo and Teller.

“The U. S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing Colorado with the most effective and customer-focused response possible, and we will be there to provide access to federal disaster loans to help finance recovery for residents and businesses affected by the disaster,” said Mills. “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

“Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations impacted by the flash flood,” said SBA’s Colorado District Director Greg Lopez. “Beginning Wednesday, September 4, 2013, SBA representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application,” Lopez continued. The center will be open on the days and times indicated. No appointment is necessary.

El Paso County Disaster Loan Outreach Center

Manitou Springs City Hall
606 Manitou Avenue
Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Opens on : Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Mondays through Fridays
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closes: Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 5 p.m.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 1.937 percent for homeowners and renters, 2.875 percent for private, nonprofit organizations and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. For more information about SBA’s disaster assistance programs, visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.

The deadline to apply for property damage is October 29, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 30, 2014.

MEDIA ADVISORY: DHSEM, Red Cross to Announce Statewide Preparedness Movement

CONTACT

Patricia Demchak Billinger, American Red Cross
Patricia.Billinger@redcross.org

                         Micki Trost, Colorado DHSEM
                         (303) 472-4087 | Micki.Trost@state.co.us




MEDIA ADVISORY

Aug. 27, 2013

 

 

 

State of Colorado, Red Cross to Announce Statewide Preparedness Movement

 

Prepare Colorado Effort Seeks to Save Lives, Reduce Suffering and Losses, Improve Community Resiliency

 

DENVER, COLO. Aug. 27, 2013 – On Friday, Sept. 6, Colorado Lt. Governor Joe Garcia will join regional leaders from the American Red Cross and the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in announcing a statewide “Prepare Colorado” movement to save lives, reduce suffering in the face of emergencies and improve our communities’ ability to bounce back from disasters.

The goal of Prepare Colorado: to make Colorado a national leader in whole-community preparedness.

The Red Cross and its partners in state government will make a call for all sectors of Colorado – public, private and nonprofit – to commit to taking specific actions to increase the preparedness and disaster resiliency of individuals, households, schools, businesses, organizations and governmental agencies in Colorado.

Representatives from FEMA will also participate in the press conference to recognize that “Prepare Colorado” is a great way for citizens to actively take control of their personal preparedness and to speak to how the movement promotes action steps that align with FEMA’s new, national effort, “America's Prepareathon.”

WHAT:      Public Announcement of Statewide Prepare Colorado Movement

WHEN:      2-2:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 6

WHERE:    Steps of the State Capitol

WHO:         Speakers will include Colorado Lt. Governor Joe Garcia; Gino Greco, CEO of the
American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming; Tim Deal, FEMA Region VIII Federal Preparedness Coordinator; and Micki Trost, PIO for the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

WHY:        Although not all disasters can be prevented, research has confirmed that taking strategic actions to be prepared results in fewer lives lost, reduced loss of property and income, lower impact on the local economy, and a faster, more thorough recovery. Successful preparedness requires the involvement of every aspect of a community, from the homeowner who mitigates her property, to the day care center with an evacuation plan, to the local church that opens as a shelter, to the corner store that remains open to provide re-building supplies and a paycheck for its disaster-affected employees.

Recognizing this need for “whole community” preparedness, the American Red Cross and the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management are partnering to promote a Prepare Colorado movement that will reach out to and involve all sectors of the community, in all 64 Colorado counties, over the next three years.

Goals of the effort include:

• Increasing access to lifesaving training such as CPR, first aid and disaster preparedness

• Improving business and organizational preparedness and resilience

• Engaging and empowering local community networks to take specific preparedness actions

• Ensuring that at least 2.5 million Colorado households have an emergency plan and kit

• Increasing local disaster response agencies’ capacities to respond to major disasters

• Promoting consistent disaster guidance to the public to enhance their safety before, during and after emergencies.

Resources and information will be available at www.readycolorado.com, www.coemergency.com and www.redcross.org/colorado.

Call for Speaker Proposals: Colorado Emergency Management Conference

Planning for the 2014 Colorado Emergency Management Conference is underway.  We are developing the conference agenda with a focus on "Partner Integration - Your Piece of the Puzzle".  The 2014 Emergency Management Conference committee is dedicated to improving the annual conference by building on past successes and we need your creativity and subject matter expertise.

The three-day conference is scheduled for February 25-27, 2014.  This year we are putting out a call for speakers to create the conference workshop opportunities.

Our conference is more than emergency management based.  We are committed to integration, all-hazards community risk reduction, instructional methodology and program improvement.  We invite your and your colleges to propose a presentation that is limited only by your imagination within the conference them: "Partner Integration - Your Piece of the Puzzle".  The courses will all be 50-minute breakout sessions. 

The proposals are due to the conference committee by October 31, 2013.  Use the form below to submit your proposal or go to the online form.  If you have any questions, please the committee at cdps_seoc_logistics@state.co.us




DHSEM Update: August 19, 2013

Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Update:  August 19

Information included in this Update:
  • Colorado Emergency Management Conference Call for Speakers
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance Deadlines Approaching
  • Wildfire Mitigation Funds Announced
  • 2013 LEPC Conference
  • Dam Inundation Reference Guide
  • National Preparedness Month Resources
  • Denver Emergency Management Summit 2013
  • Denver's August 2013 Face 2 Face Program
  • Business Preparedness Academy 2013
  • Training Information
    • Basic Public Information Officer Courses
    • DFPC 2013 Hazardous Materials Response Course Offerings
    • Colorado Office of Preparedness Training Announcement

Colorado Wildfire Report: August 17, 2013

Colorado Wildfire Update: August 17, 2013

wildfire

About this report: This wildfire update is provided by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in partnership with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control to keep you informed of current wildfires, larger than 100 acres,  for which the State is currently supporting and monitoring. The update does not cover all wildfires currently burning in Colorado that may be smaller incidents.

 

Red Canyon Fire. (Final Report)



Fire Name
Red Canyon Fire
Fire Start Date
August 12, 2013
Location/County
Garfield County (south of Glenwood Springs)
Cause
Lightning Suspected
Acres
390
Containment
100%
Evacuations
None Reported
Fatalities
None Reported
Structures Lost
None Reported 
Resources
Transitioned to Type III IMT
Executive Order Issued
Executive Order Pending
Funding
EFF has been approved on 8/12/2013
Information Sources
FMO update, WebEOC update Twitter: @CarbondaleFire Inciweb, Inicident PIO

 

Cog Fire



Fire Name
Cog Fire
Fire Start Date
August 17, 2013
Location/County
Routt County near Hayden. 
Cause
Under Investigation
Acres
500 at 3 p.m.
Containment
0%
Evacuations
None Reported
Fatalities
None Reported
Structures Lost
Possible out building
Resources
Local mutual aid with BLM, SEATs assigned
Executive Order Issued
None requested
Funding
TBD 
Information Sources
FMO update, WebEOC update Twitter: @RouttCountyOEM

 


Important Note: Information on current and future Colorado wildfires can be obtained from the following websites, which are updated regularly during incidents:

Today’s Fire Outlook

The fire situation rating for the Rocky Mountain Area is at a  Preparedness Level 2. The National Preparedness Level is a Level 4.

Monthly Seasonal Outlook from the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center: http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf

Colorado Fire Restriction Information

Each county is responsible for enacting appropriate restrictions.

View COEM’s current map of Colorado Fire Restrictions at: https://www.google.com/fusiontables/embedviz?viz=MAP&q=select+col4+from+1o76CJOtWMM37FdAb-dpQdTeUlwkbC0oBFAETH78&h=false&lat=39.02634487425597&lng=-105.550565&z=7&t=1&l=col4 

Colorado Weather Watches and Warnings Information 

For information on active fire weather watches and warnings visit:http://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/co.php?x=1. A map can be viewed at:http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/firewx/main.php.

 

Colorado Smoke Outlook

For information about wildfire smoke visit:http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/wildfire.aspx
For information on Colorado air quality visit: http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/advisory.aspx

Colorado Wildfire Update: August 16, 2013

About this report: This wildfire update is provided by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in partnership with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control to keep you informed of current wildfires, larger than 100 acres,  for which the State is currently supporting and monitoring. The update does not cover all wildfires currently burning in Colorado that may be smaller incidents.

 

Red Canyon Fire



Fire Name
Red Canyon Fire
Fire Start Date
August 12, 2013
Location/County
Garfield County (south of Glenwood Springs)
Cause
Lightning Suspected
Acres
390
Containment
75%
Evacuations
Evacuations will be lifted at 9 a.m. on 8/16/2013
Fatalities
None Reported
Structures Lost
None Reported 
Resources
211 Personnel
Executive Order Issued
Executive Order Pending
Funding
EFF has been approved on 8/12/2013
Information Sources
FMO update, WebEOC update Twitter: @CarbondaleFire Inciweb, Inicident PIO

 


Important Note: Information on current and future Colorado wildfires can be obtained from the following websites, which are updated regularly during incidents:

Today’s Fire Outlook

The fire situation rating for the Rocky Mountain Area is at a  Preparedness Level 2. The National Preparedness Level is a Level 4.

Monthly Seasonal Outlook from the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center: http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf

Colorado Fire Restriction Information

Each county is responsible for enacting appropriate restrictions.

View COEM’s current map of Colorado Fire Restrictions at: https://www.google.com/fusiontables/embedviz?viz=MAP&q=select+col4+from+1o76CJOtWMM37FdAb-dpQdTeUlwkbC0oBFAETH78&h=false&lat=39.02634487425597&lng=-105.550565&z=7&t=1&l=col4
 

Colorado Weather Watches and Warnings Information 

For information on active fire weather watches and warnings visit:http://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/co.php?x=1. A map can be viewed at:http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/firewx/main.php.

 

Colorado Smoke Outlook

For information about wildfire smoke visit:http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/wildfire.aspx
For information on Colorado air quality visit: http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/advisory.aspx

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Colorado Residents and BusinessesAffected by the Black Forest Fire

 Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Colorado residents and business owners affected by the Black Forest Fire that occurred June 11 - June 21, 2013, U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Karen G. Mills announced today.  SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster following the denial of the state's request for FEMA's Individuals and Households Program.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in El Paso County and the neighboring counties of Crowley, Douglas, Elbert, Fremont, Lincoln, Pueblo and Teller.

"The U. S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing Colorado with the most effective and customer-focused response possible, and we will be there to provide access to federal disaster loans to help finance recovery for residents and businesses affected by the disaster," said Mills.  "Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA."

"Beginning Wednesday, August 14 at 1 pm, SBA customer service representatives (CSRs) and counselors from the Colorado Springs Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be on hand at the following SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center to help individuals and businesses impacted by the Black Forest Fire," said SBA's Colorado District Director Greg Lopez.  "The center is designed to provide key financial and counseling services to individuals and businesses impacted by the fire," he continued.  The center will be open on the days and times indicated.  No appointment is necessary.

El Paso County
SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Black Forest Fire Station One
Training Room
11445 Teachout Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80908

Opens: Wednesday, August 14, at 1 pm
Hours : Mondays - Fridays 9 am - 6 pm

The center will close on Thursday, August 29


According to Lopez, SBA CSRs will answer questions about SBA's disaster loan programs, explain the application process, help each individual complete their application and close their approved loans.  Colorado SBDC State Director Kelly Manning said, "Our SBDC counselors will provide free counseling on a wide variety of matters designed to help business owners re-establish their operations, overcome the effects of the disaster and plan for their future.  Services include assessing business economic injury, evaluating the business's strength, cash flow projections and most importantly, a review of all options to ensure each business makes decisions that are appropriate for its situation.  They will also provide program information, answer questions and help businesses apply for this much needed financial help."

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.  Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.  SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 1.875 percent for homeowners and renters, 2.875 percent for private, nonprofit organizations and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years.  Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA's Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visiting SBA's Web site at http://www.sba.gov/disaster.  Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is October 14, 2013.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 14, 2014.



SBA Field Operations Center - West, P.O.  Box 419004, Sacramento, CA 95841

Colorado Wildfire Report: August 13, 2013

About this report: This wildfire update is provided by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in partnership with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control to keep you informed of current wildfires, larger than 100 acres,  for which the State is currently supporting and monitoring. The update does not cover all wildfires currently burning in Colorado that may be smaller incidents.

 

Red Canyon Fire


Fire Name
Red Canyon Fire
Fire Start Date
August 12, 2013
Location/County
Garfield County (south of Glenwood Springs)
Cause
Lightning
Acres
350
Containment
10%
Evacuations
Evacuation notices ordered for area north of CR115, East of the fire and North to I-70.
Fatalities
None Reported
Structures Lost
None Reported 
Resources
Type II IMT assumes command 8/14/2013 at 6 a.m.  Staffing update at that time.  DFPC SEAT T888 assisgned to fire.
Executive Order Issued
Not requested at this time
Funding
EFF has been approved on 8/12/2013
Information Sources
FMO update, WebEOC update Twitter: @CarbondaleFire

 


Important Note: Information on current and future Colorado wildfires can be obtained from the following websites, which are updated regularly during incidents:

Today’s Fire Outlook

The fire situation rating for the Rocky Mountain Area is at a  Preparedness Level 2. The National Preparedness Level is a Level 4.

Monthly Seasonal Outlook from the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center: http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf

Colorado Fire Restriction Information

Each county is responsible for enacting appropriate restrictions.

View COEM’s current map of Colorado Fire Restrictions at: https://www.google.com/fusiontables/embedviz?viz=MAP&q=select+col4+from+1o76CJOtWMM37FdAb-dpQdTeUlwkbC0oBFAETH78&h=false&lat=39.02634487425597&lng=-105.550565&z=7&t=1&l=col4
 

Colorado Weather Watches and Warnings Information 

For information on active fire weather watches and warnings visit:http://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/co.php?x=1. A map can be viewed at:http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/firewx/main.php.

 

Colorado Smoke Outlook

For information about wildfire smoke visit:http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/wildfire.aspx
For information on Colorado air quality visit: http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/advisory.aspx

Gov. Hickenlooper declares disaster emergency related to flooding in El Paso County

Gov. John Hickenlooper declared a disaster emergency related to flooding in recent days in El Paso County. The declaration will make resources available to remove flooding debris and provide flood emergency protective measures.

El Paso County and the City of Manitou Springs on Aug. 10 requested the state assistance. The governor gave verbal approval on the same day.

The governor authorized $400,000 be transferred into the Disaster Emergency Fund from the General Fund appropriation in Fiscal Year 2013-14 to the Controlled Maintenance Trust Fund. The director of the Colorado Office of Emergency Management will direct and allocate the funding to the appropriate government agencies to address the disaster.

The governor also activated the State Emergency Operations Plan to address the flooding. The activation requires all state departments and agencies to take whatever actions may be required and requested by the director of the Colorado Office of Emergency Management, including provision of appropriate staff and equipment as necessary.

The governor further authorized the Colorado National Guard to assist with search and rescue missions in the area, if necessary, as more rain continues to fall.

Executive Order D 2013-023

DHSEM Update - August 9

Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Update ~ August 9

Information included in this update:
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance
  • LEPC 2013 Conference
  • H-SAC Meeting
  • Career and Volunteer Opportunities
  •  Educational Resources
  • Training Opportunites

Deadline to Apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance Approaching

Work search may be waived for claimants affected by the fire

Individuals who have become unemployed because of the Black Forest Wildfire and the Royal Gorge Wildfire in June may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), a federal program that provides temporary financial assistance to workers and self-employed individuals who have lost their jobs because of a disaster and who do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits.

Major Disaster Declarations were issued for the  Royal Gorge Wildfire and the Black Forest Wildfire by the President on July 26. With these declarations, individuals may now be eligible for unemployment assistance if their unemployment resulted from the physical damage or destruction of their place of employment or because of the physical inaccessibility of the worksite due to its closure by the federal, state or local government in immediate response to a wildfire.

Claims can be filed at www.coloradoui.gov .

In addition, the Department of Labor and Employment is announcing that individuals who are currently receiving unemployment benefits while living in the burn area will receive a waiver from their requirement to seek work beginning the week the fire began in their area. The start date for the Royal Gorge Wildfire and the Black Forest Wildfire was June 11, 2013.

These individuals must continue requesting payment of unemployment benefits as they always have. As long as the fire is the only circumstance that is preventing them from looking for work, they should report that they are able to work, available and looking for work.

Some claimants impacted by the fire may currently be receiving Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC), federal benefits that go beyond the regular 26 weeks. Individuals receiving EUC benefits must complete a series of reemployment services within six weeks. However, for the immediate future, the Department of Labor and Employment is extending the amount of time in which those claimants must complete the services.

If individuals lost their jobs because of either wildfire and are eligible for regular UI, they should apply for those regular unemployment benefits. DUA is available only to those individuals who wouldn’t otherwise be eligible for regular unemployment benefits. These individuals will typically be self-employed individuals who don’t meet the “employment” qualifications (e.g., ranchers, farmers, in-home day care providers, etc.) or individuals who don’t have enough wage history but can prove that they were working or were scheduled to begin work on or after the date of the fire and now cannot perform that work any longer.

If eligible, unemployment benefits are normally available for up to 26 weeks beginning the week following the Presidential disaster declaration. Additional weeks may be payable during the period between the incident starting date (June 11) and the formal Presidential declaration. When able to return to employment or self-employment, benefits will stop.

The deadline is fast approaching to file a DUA claim.

Deadlines for Applying

Royla Gorge Wildfire DUA claims will be accepted through August 24, 2013.  
Black Forest Wildfire DUA claims will only be accepted through August 27, 2013.

Additional Information from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE)

Visit the CDLE  website for additional information or to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Colorado Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Royal Gorge Fire

The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest working capital federal disaster loans to small businesses economically impacted by the Royal Gorge Fire that that occurred June 11 - June 16, 2013, SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills said today.  SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster following a request received on July 31 from Lt. Gov. Joseph A. Garcia. 

 The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Fremont County and the neighboring counties of Chaffee, Custer, El Paso, Park, Pueblo, Saguache and Teller. 

“The U. S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist Colorado’s small businesses with federal disaster loans.  We will be swift in our efforts to help these small businesses recover from the financial impacts of this disaster,” said Administrator Mills.

“Beginning Thursday, August 8, SBA customer service representatives (CSRs) and counselors from the Pueblo Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be on hand at the following SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center to help small businesses impacted by the Royal Gorge Fire,” said SBA’s Colorado District Director Greg Lopez.  “The center is designed to provide key financial and counseling services to small businesses impacted by the fire,” he continued. The center will be open on the days and times indicated. No appointment is necessary.

FREMONT COUNTY

SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center

Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (UAACG)

Conference Room

3224-A Independence Road

Canon City, CO 81212

 

Opens: Thursday, August 8 at 8 am

 

Open Thurs., Aug. 8Fri., Aug. 9,  Mon. Aug., 12 andTues., Aug. 13

8 am – 4:30 pm

 

Closes: Tuesday, August 13 at 4:30 pm

 

According to Lopez, SBA CSRs will answer questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, explain the application process, and help each business owner complete their application.  Colorado SBDC State Director Kelly Manning said, “Our SBDC counselors will provide free counseling on a wide variety of matters designed to help these businesses overcome the effects of the disasterand plan for their future. Services include assessing business economic injury, evaluating the business’s strength, cash flow projections and most importantly, reviewing all options to ensure each business makes decisions that are appropriate for its situation.  They will also help small businesses apply for this much needed financial help.”

“Small, nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred,” said Lopez.  

“These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.  Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing,” Lopez added.

Eligibility is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage.  These loans have an interest rate of 4 percent for small businesses and 2.875 percent for private, nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years, and are restricted to small businesses without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.

Applicants may apply online using SBA’s secure Web site athttps://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For owners of these impacted small businesses, disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339.  For more information about SBA’s disaster assistance programs, visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.

 The deadline to return SBA economic injury applications is May 6, 2014.

Kodiak Fire 54 acres northwest of Maybell in Moffat County

The lightning caused Kodiak Fire was reported Sat., Aug. 3 around 12:30 p.m. It is burning in thick pinion and juniper trees on Bureau of Land Management land one mile east of Little Bears Ears peak 25 miles northwest of Maybell, Colo.

BLM Little Snake Field Office and fire managers are managing this incident for multiple objectives including wildlife and range enhancement and hazardous fuel reduction.  The fire is burning into an area that has a prescribed fire plan in place and is part of the buffer area for the Bears Ears prescribed fire project.

Three engine crews are working to black line or box in the identified project area.  The 20-person San Isabel Regulars fire crew is on scene and assisting with building fireline. A Moffat County water tender is also assigned to this incident.

A Veterans Green Corps and Rocky Mountain Youth Corps fire crew will arrive later today for their first wildfire assignment. VGC/RMYC fire crew received basic firefighting and chain saw training from BLM fire personnel earlier this spring to prepare them for hazardous fuel reduction work and possible wildland fire assignments.

No structures are threatened and no reported injuries.

In Rio Blanco County two smaller incidents were reported and contained Sun., Aug. 4. Both on BLM White River Field Office land and lightning caused. The Pinto Mesa Fire was one tenth acre and the Drop Kick Fire was one half acre.

Fire danger is high in Moffat County and moderate in Rio Blanco, Routt, Jackson and Grand Counties.