Governor Cooper requests Small Business Administration disaster declaration

Request is first step in establishing a state relief program for Dorian’s victims

Governor Roy Cooper sent a letter  Friday to the U.S. Small Business Administration requesting that the SBA grant a disaster declaration for North Carolina counties that were affected by Hurricane Dorian. This request is the first step in establishing a state relief program after FEMA denied North Carolina’s request for Individual Assistance for Carteret, Dare, Hyde and New Hanover Counties on October 8th.

“I’m asking the SBA for assistance so we can get more state help to Hurricane Dorian survivors as quickly as possible. While it’s disappointing that federal government assistance for this was turned down, we know that North Carolinians should not leave each other behind,” said Governor Cooper.

If granted, the declaration would provide low-interest disaster loans to people affected by Hurricane Dorian, and it would be the first piece of a state managed relief program for Dorian’s victims. The request is for assistance to affected individuals and businesses in Carteret, Dare, Hyde, New Hanover and all contiguous counties.

Following the SBA declaration, Governor Cooper intends to sign an order for state-funded individual assistance which would provide grants to supplement SBA loans for Dorian affected individuals and businesses. The state will then open disaster recovery centers in affected counties for people to apply for SBA loans and state grants.