US OKs ice jam flood disaster loans

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - Gov. Rick Snyder says the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved his request for a disaster declaration for Mecosta County following severe winter flooding in the area.

Snyder said Tuesday that the move makes low-interest disaster loans available to residents and businesses affected by flooding in late January and early February.

Big Rapids is the Mecosta County seat. The declaration also covers neighboring Clare, Isabella, Lake, Montcalm, Newaygo and Osceola counties in the central Lower Peninsula.

The disaster assistance program provides low-interest disaster loans for uninsured losses incurred by homeowners, renters and businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Snyder says the federal agency will open a disaster recovery center in the area later this week. He says loan applications will also be available online at www.sba.gov and by mail.

The SBA Disaster Recovery Center will be located at the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety conference room. It will open March 7 and will run 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours Monday through Friday until the close of business on March 20.

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Big Rapids Department of Public Safety
435 North Michigan Avenue
Big Rapids, MI  49307