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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2004

SCHUMER: STEUBEN COUNTY IS ELIGIBLE FOR SMALL BUSINESS LOANS FROM HURRICANE IVAN DAMAGE

Last week, at Schumer's urging, the state declared 16 counties as disaster areas during Hurricane Ivan's and other storms that struck in August and September

Steuben County is now eligible to apply for Small Business Loans because of last week's disaster declaration

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that Steuben County businesses are eligible to apply for an economic injury Small Business Administration loans to help them recover from Hurricane Ivan's storm damage. Last week, after Schumer's urging, New York state declared 16 counties disaster areas. Schumer immediately urged the President to accept the state's declaration and approve their request.

"You can't prevent natural disasters from happening, but we can help small businesses recover from them," Schumer said. "The whole state has been hit hard this season with rains and flooding and it seems like this time around it just kept coming. Small businesses are the backbone of the economy and entrepreneurs in Steuben County need the resources, tools and guidance to get their businesses back up and running and help move this economy forward. It is our job to help get them what they need and get it to them now."

Intense rainstorms ripped across the state due to Hurricane Ivan - the third major hurricane to impact the Caribbean and the United States this year. In the week immediately following the storms, Schumer urged the State of New York to make a request to the federal government for disaster assistance for property and infrastructure, because doing so is a prerequisite for obtaining federal funds.

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