FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2024
Contact: press@michigan.gov
Gov. WhitmerSecuresHistoric U.S Small Business AdministrationDisasterAssistance for Kalamazoo County
LANSING, MICH.-- Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has granted an administrative declaration of disaster for Kalamazoo County. The SBA disasterassistanceprogram will make low-interest loans available to residents and businesses affected by severe storms and tornadoes on May 7. This is the first use of an SBA rapid declarationnationwide since the path became available in January,highlighting Michigan as a leading state in the nation for recovery efforts.
“Today’sSBArapid declaration—the first ever—will providethe resources and supportMichiganders in Kalamazoo County need to recover fromMay’sseverestorms and tornadoes,”saidGovernor Whitmer. “Rebuildingefforts arealready underway,andthese loans willsupport a lot of good,ongoing work as we continue tomove forward. I am proud we are staying proactive and grateful to the SBA for their speed and professionalism.Michiganders arestrong, and we willget through this together.”
The SBA disasterassistanceprogram provides low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations to repair or replace real estate,personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory, and business assets that were damaged or destroyed. The SBA tailors the repayment of each disaster loan to the borrower’s financial capability. This declaration covers Kalamazoo County and adjacent counties, including Allegan, Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, St. Joseph, and Van Buren.
“Communities across Kalamazoo County have shown incredible resiliency in the wake of the devastating May 7 tornadoes and storms,” saidU.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga. "Nevertheless,it is clear that additionalfederal resources are needed and deserved, which is whyI’mglad to see the SBA Rapid Disaster Declaration approved as a next step towards recovery for local businesses. I eagerly await the Biden Administration’s decision on our request for a Major Disaster Declaration to allow more robustassistanceto the families and individualsimpactedby these terrible storms.”
"From the moment these tornadoes and severe storms hit our communities, I have been working with the governor and other local, state and federal officials to provide swift relief and support for everyone affected," saidstateSenatorSean McCann(D-Kalamazoo). "With the recent funding we were able to secure in our state budget and today's major announcement of assistance from the Small Business Administration, we are continuing to do everything we can to help our residents, business owners and communities rebuild, recover and come back stronger than ever."
"The terrible storms in Maycaused an incredible amount of damage in Kalamazoo County. Iamextremely grateful for the immediate action of our local first respondersto help our residents in whatever ways they could. However, recovery efforts for residents and local businesses are ongoing,” saidstate RepresentativeChristine Morse(D-Texas Township). “Iwould like to express my immensegratitude on behalf ofthe 40thDistrictto the SBA for their quickdecision-making indelivering this disasterassistance.The SBA’s support is critical to helping our residents recover from these disasters as soon as possible.”
"Our Kalamazoo community has been resilient as we continue to rebuild and recover from the damage caused by the strong storms and tornadoes in May,” saidstate RepresentativeJulie M. Rogers(D-Kalamazoo). “I amvery gratefulfor the immediate response from first responders and the state and federal government agencies that provided relief to our residents. As we continue to move forward, I am thankful for the Small Business Administration’s disasterassistancefor our community. Their quick action will go a long way in helping our residents rebuild and return to their everyday lives.”
The SBA mayestablisha temporary Disaster Loan Outreach Center in the impacted area for one-on-oneassistance. Loan applications are also available online or by mail. Foradditionalinformation on low-interest SBA loans or thedisasterassistanceloanapplicationprocess, visit theMySBALoan Portalathttps://lending.sba.govor call 1-800-659-2955.
About the Disaster: On May 7, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes struck the southwest part of the state. The storm system resulted in roughly sixteen injuries, and caused significant damage to homes, businesses, and the power grid. Hail ranging from one to four inches in diameter was also reported along with dangerous straight-line winds. Debris removal and other storm related clean-up has lasted several weeks. Much of the damage was centered in Kalamazoo County.
OnJune 6, Governor Whitmer requesteda Presidential disaster declarationthrough theFederalEmergency Management Agency(FEMA)for theState of Michigan in response to theMay 7storms,seeking activation of all Individual Assistance programsfor especially impacted areas within Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch, and Cass counties.While that process is still underwayand the state awaits theFEMAdecision, Governor Whitmer onJuly 5 requested a rapid declaration through a path that SBA has only madeavailable starting this past January.Thenewpath allows SBA to providelow-interest loanswhereappropriate withouthaving to await the full completion of the FEMA request process. With today’s announcement, Michigan becomes the first state to take full advantage of this path.
For more information on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency or disaster, visitwww.michigan.gov/mireadyor follow MSP/EMHSD on Twitter at @MichEMHS.
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