WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) urged the Administration to direct federal disaster relief resources to the Buckeye Lake region. In a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Brown and Portman – along with U.S. Reps. Pat Tiberi (R-OH-12) and Steve Stivers (R-OH-15) – called on the SBA Administrator to designate Fairfield, Licking, and Perry Counties as federal disaster areas.

“While plans are in place to construct a new dam, the lower lake level has dramatically decreased tourism activity in the area, costing small businesses throughout the Buckeye Lake region,” the lawmakers wrote. “SBA disaster resources would provide much-needed relief in the form of low-interest loans that can be used to pay fixed debts, make payroll, and take care of other bills during the dam construction process. We fully support Governor Kasich’s request for a federal disaster declaration, and urge your office to provide full and fair consideration to this disaster declaration request.”

A federal disaster designation, which the Governor formally requested yesterday, would provide funding to businesses impacted by the lower water levels – which has caused decreased tourism revenue – at Buckeye Lake while construction of a new dam is underway. SBA provides low-interest loans up to $2 million for businesses in counties that are designated as federal disaster areas.

Full text of the letter is here and below.

 

August 18, 2015

 

Ms. Maria Contreras-Sweet
Administrator
U.S. Small Business Administration
409 Third Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20416

 

Dear Administrator Contreras-Sweet:

 As members of the Ohio Congressional Delegation, we are writing in support of Ohio Governor John R. Kasich’s request for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to designate Fairfield, Licking, and Perry Counties as federal disaster areas. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently classified the dam at Buckeye Lake as in imminent danger of catastrophic failure, leading state officials to lower the water level on April 20, 2015 in order to alleviate pressure.

While plans are in place to construct a new dam, the lower lake level has dramatically decreased tourism activity in the area, costing small businesses throughout the Buckeye Lake region. The Ohio Development Services Agency has submitted with its application numerous estimated disaster economic injury worksheets from small businesses located within the three county region, detailing severe economic hardship.  Several small businesses have provided actual revenue statements of their losses, as required by the SBA.  SBA disaster resources would provide much-needed relief in the form of low-interest loans that can be used to pay fixed debts, make payroll, and take care of other bills during the dam construction process.

We believe federal assistance is necessary to help the Ohioans in these counties.  We fully support Governor Kasich’s request for a federal disaster declaration, and urge your office to provide full and fair consideration to this disaster declaration request. 

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

 

 

                                                            Sincerely,

 

 

Sherrod Brown                                                                                    Rob Portman

United States Senator                                                                          United States Senator

 

 

 

Pat Tiberi                                                                                            Steve Stivers

Member of Congress                                                                           Member of Congress

 


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