Recovery From Severe Weather Impact

Federal disaster loans are available to agricultural cooperatives, small businesses and private, non-profit groups in Hartford, Litchfield, Tolland and Windham counties that suffered losses from the severe weather that hit the area in December 2008.

The low-interest loans are available through the U.S. Small Business Administration to recover damages from a severe ice storm. Operations in those four counties were deemed eligible following a disaster declaration from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for adjacent counties in Massachusetts.

Eligible small businesses, agriculture cooperatives and non-profit groups may qualify for loans of up to $2 million at an interest rate of 4 percent and terms of up to 30 years.

For more information, contact the SBA at (800) 659-2955, or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance for details. The deadline for applications is December 14, 2009.