Dinniman: Federal Loans Available for Coatesville Arson Victims
Victims of Fleetwood St. Arson Blaze Have Until March 21 to Apply

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2009

CONTACT: ADAM CIRUCCI
PHONE: 610-692-2112
acirucci@pasenate.com

Coatesville residents who lost their homes in a devastating January fire may be eligible for disaster assistance, according to Senator Andrew Dinniman and Senator John Rafferty. The Small Business Administration is presently accepting applications for disaster loans at a temporary office in downtown Coatesville.

Following the Jan. 25 arson fire that gutted 15 homes on Fleetwood St., Rafferty and Dinniman wrote to Governor Rendell urging him to take whatever action he could to help those whose homes were destroyed or damaged. On Monday, they lauded local officials, the governor and the federal U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) for working swiftly to secure low-interest disaster loans for fire victims.

“A disaster of this nature requires all levels of government to work together for the community and the people affected, and I’m so pleased that we were able to do this swiftly, effectively and in a bipartisan manner,” Rafferty said. “The people and businesses of Coatesville needed immediate assistance to rebuild and recover, and these low-interest loans will help to jump-start the process.”

"Residents and business-owners in Coatesville need to know that the application period for these low-interest disaster loans is this week and ends on Saturday, March 21. I urge those who believe they may be eligible for this program to visit the Small Business Administration's local office as quickly as possible to ensure their application is submitted on time,” Dinniman said.

At the request of the Rendell Administration, the SBA is providing low-interest loans of up to $200,000 to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are also eligible for loans of up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.

SBA’s customer service representatives will be on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center to issue loan applications, answer questions about the SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their applications.

The Center is located in the Downtown Office - City of Coatesville, 209 East Lincoln Highway. It will be open during the following days.

• Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, March 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

For more information, call Senator Dinniman’s office at 610-692-2112 or e-mail acirucci@pasenate.com.

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