The Maine Emergency Management Agency is reaching out to Maine businesses that were impacted economically by the major ice storm December 21 – January 6. The storm and ensuing arctic temperatures caused power outages, power surges, burst pipes, ice jams, and other problems in many parts of the state, forcing some businesses to temporarily close while others suffered other economic losses.

 

The US Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program can be made available to small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofit organizations that have suffered substantial economic injury in a declared disaster area. Substantial economic injury means the business is unable to meet its obligations and to pay its ordinary and necessary operating expenses. EIDLs provide the necessary working capital to help small businesses survive until normal operations resume after a disaster.

 

The SBA can provide up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. The loan amount is based on the organization’s actual economic injury and financial needs, regardless of whether it suffered any property damage.

 

The SBA makes an economic injury declaration in reliance on a state certification that at least five small business concerns in a county affected by the disaster have suffered substantial economic injury as a result of the disaster and are in need of financial assistance not otherwise available on reasonable terms. We are seeking the assistance of your Chamber of Commerce to reach out to the local business community.

 

I have attached a one-page worksheet with instructions for affected businesses to complete. This estimation worksheet is required by the SBA for the Governor to make his request for a disaster declaration. Please forward or share these documents with your membership and have them return the completed and signed worksheet to me as soon as possible.

 

They may scan the signed  worksheet and email it to richard.higgins@maine.gov, fax it to 287-3178, or mail it to

 

Richard Higgins

Individual Assistance Officer

Maine Emergency Management Agency

45 Commerce Drive

72 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333-0072