The State of Iowa is surveying businesses to check for economic damages that may’ve been caused by the recent winter storms. Iowa Emergency Management Division Administrator, David Miller, says enough damage could lead to another disaster declaration.
Miller says they’re trying to get an estimate of economic injury caused to businesses that had to shut down during the storm to see if a Small Business Administration disaster declaration is warranted. All 99 counties have already been given a state disaster declaration, and over 40 received a Presidential disaster declaration. Miller says this is different.
Miller says the programs in this declaration have to do with insurable and uninsurable damages incurred by businesses. Miller says the federal disaster declaration involves damage done to public facilities and eligible public non-profit organizations. Miller says they’re trying to be sure that all possible help is available.
Miller says they usually try to get a comprehensive federal designation, but this time things are a "little more disjointed." Miller says if you have a business that suffered losses from the storm and subsequent power outages, you should fill out an application for help.
Miller says they’ll ask how much revenue you made last year, and how much this year to see how much you might have lost. They’ll also ask about employees and whether those employees were out of work because of the storm. Miller says if there is enough damage, you may qualify for an SBA loan. Miller says you can get a worksheet to figure your damages at the SBA website. The Iowa Homeland Security Division has a disaster information sheet available to explain the help that is available.