MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Friday announced that Houston and surrounding counties are approved for disaster assistance in the form of low-interest rate loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.  The approval is based on damage assessments from a line of severe storms that moved through Alabama on April 25 & 26.

“The April storms caused a lot of damage in Houston County and surrounding communities,” Governor Bentley said. “The assistance from the SBA will help more people recover and rebuild. The SBA and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency are working closely with affected communities.  We will continue to connect people with all available resources.”

This SBA disaster declaration covers Houston County and the contiguous counties of Dale, Geneva and Henry. SBA provides assistance for homeowners, businesses and nonprofit organizations that suffered damage from the storms.

“I am pleased the SBA has granted the Governor’s request for assistance to our citizens and businesses.  It is important that all those affected, in the declared counties, understand they may be eligible for financial assistance through low interest loans from the SBA,” Alabama EMA Director Art Faulkner said.

Those interested in applying for SBA low-interest rate loans can receive more information by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (or 800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing).  Additional information, including SBA disaster loan fact sheets, can be found on the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov.