The U.S. Small Business Administration today approved disaster loan assistance for agriculture, businesses, homeowners and non-profit organizations affected by wildfires, flooding and mudslides this summer.
Also this week, Colorado received notification that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program has been added to the wildfire disaster declaration approved by President Barack Obama on June 28.
While any county with a current and adopted local hazard mitigation plan is eligible to apply for a project, preference will be given to those areas affected most by the recent disasters. Funds can be used toward different types of natural hazard mitigation projects with the purpose of reducing loss of life, improved property and critical infrastructure.
The program will be administered by the state’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in the Office of Emergency Management’s Mitigation and Recovery Section.
FEMA notified Gov. John Hickenlooper this week that the state’s request for expanded individual assistance in communities impacted by wildfires was denied. “Based on our review of all of the information available, it has been determined that implementation of the Individual Assistance programs beyond those already authorized under FEMA-4067-DR is not warranted,” a letter from FEMA said.