Gov. M. Jodi Rell made a final appeal for business owners and residents to report damage from the March storms by calling a 211 hotline, or on-line at www.211ct.org.
The Obama administration denied the state”™s request for funding under a federal Individual Assistance program for Fairfield County, as well as for New Haven, Middlesex, New London and Windham counties.
“We are appealing the federal government”™s rejection of financial assistance for individuals and businesses severely affected by the March storms,” Rell said, in a prepared statement. “We need residents and businesses to continue to help us make our case.”
If the appeal is not successful, the governor may request a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration. If the SBA declaration request is granted, low-interest Physical Disaster Loans will be available to homeowners, renters and businesses. Businesses can also apply for Economic Injury Loans.
Through 1 p.m. Thursday, nearly 2,200 residents and businesses had reported damage estimates to the state, which is collecting data through 6 p.m. Friday, May 14.
The state is asking up to a dozen questions about the extent of damage residents and businesses sustained in the March storms.
