Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Announces Federal Assistance for Allegheny County

    HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 18 /EMWNews/ -- Governor Edward G.

Rendell today said families and business owners who were victims of the

July 11 fire in McKeesport, Allegheny County, may apply for low-interest

loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The loans will help pay

to repair damages to personal possessions and structures.



    "Pennsylvania and county and local officials worked very hard to help

families and business owners who suffered damages due to the fire,"

Governor Rendell said. "I extend my thanks to SBA for recognizing the

impact the fire had on homes and businesses in McKeesport and for providing

assistance."



    Low-interest loans are now available to eligible renters, business

owners and non-profit organizations whose property was damaged by the fire.

SBA regulations permit loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal

property, at current interest rates between 2.687 percent and 5.375

percent. Subject to these maximums, loan amounts cannot exceed the verified

uninsured disaster loss. Business owners can borrow up to $2 million at

interest rates of between 4 percent and 8 percent



    Residents, business owners, and non-profits can obtain loan

applications and more information at the SBA disaster loan outreach center.

The center in Allegheny County will be located at the YMCA McKeesport, 523

Sinclair St. The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through

Friday.







    More information on disaster assistance in Pennsylvania is available at

http://www.pema.state.pa.us. Click on "Disaster Assistance and Updates" in the

left-hand column.



    The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public

education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing

economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out

more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly

newsletter, visit http://www.governor.state.pa.us.



    CONTACT:



    Maria A. Finn, PEMA



    717.651.2009