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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) on Wednesday announced that low-interest Small Business Administration (SBA) loans are now available to help businesses and residents impacted by the Valley fire.
“Getting businesses back up and running is a big step towards getting our community back up and running,” said Thompson. “These low-interest loans will help businesses repair and reopen so people can return to work. Low-interest loans are also available to homeowners to help repair real estate. I commend President Obama and the SBA for their swift action. These loans will go a long way towards helping families get back on their feet.”
Businesses and nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.
Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.875 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, victims must first call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at (800) 621-FEMA (3362).
As soon as Federal-State Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout the affected area, SBA will provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants. Additional information and details on the location of disaster recovery centers is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
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In recognition of Aquaculture Awareness Week, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) offers 10 interesting facts that show how aquaculture – the practice of farming aquatic organisms – affects every Californian.
– California aquaculture industry is diverse, providing much more than just food for dinner. It also produces aquatic pets such as goldfish and koi, algae for biofuels, zebrafish for biomedical research, spirulina for vitamin supplements and more.
– California’s 150 registered aquaculturists aren’t just located on the shoreline. You’ll find them throughout the state – from the high Sierra to inland valleys, from the deserts to the coast. They operate in 50 of the state’s 58 counties, accounting for some $140 million in economic benefit.
– The California Shellfish Initiative is a collaborative effort among government and private partners to help local growers meet the increasing demand for shellfish, thus decreasing the need for imports and lowering our carbon footprint. California shellfish aquaculture contributes $25 million to the economy, providing jobs and resilient working waterfronts.
– California’s oyster growers are collaborating with scientists to find solutions to ocean acidification, which is killing off baby oysters at an alarming rate.
– Commercial oysters and other bivalve shellfish help to filter and clean coastal waters. In turn, they rely on clean, healthy water for survival.
– Sacramento is the caviar capital of the United States, providing approximately 85 percent of the country’s supply of the delicacy.
– California’s first fish and game law, enacted in 1851, concerned oyster aquaculture and arose from an era when oyster piracy was a growing problem in San Francisco. Jack London’s Tales from The Fish Patrol described the early days of fish and game wardens.
– It takes a fraction of the resources (food, water and space) to produce one pound of farm-raised fish than it does to produce one pound of beef, making aquaculture an ideal source of protein for the world’s rapidly growing population.
– Aquaponics, which uses fish waste to fertilize plants in a recirculating system, is growing in popularity in California as a new drought-friendly approach to food production.
– Aquaculture techniques pioneered in California are a critical tool in the restoration of at-risk species including trout, salmon, abalone, sturgeon and white seabass.
For more information about California aquaculture, visit www.aquaculturematters.ca.gov .
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – AAA Northern California is reminding its insurance customers that AAA is here to help for those affected by the wildfires in Butte and Valley.
AAA Northern California insurance customers who have suffered damage to their homes or vehicles can begin filing claims immediately.
The AAA toll free number available for all its members who may need assistance is 800-922-8228.
“Our hearts go out to all of the homeowners who've suffered losses from the wildfires,” said Cynthia Harris, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “Clearly, the first order of business is to make sure you and your family are safe. The next order of business is to call your insurance company.”
The AAA catastrophe team is located at the AAA Office, 1464 Parallel Drive, Lakeport.
To speak to a AAA insurance representative, please call 800-922-8228.
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Golden 1 Credit Union activates Natural Disaster Relief Loan Program, donates to fire relief efforts
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Golden 1 Credit Union announced the activation of its Natural Disaster Relief Program along with a $20,000 donation to the American Red Cross to assist members and the general public affected by the Butte and Valley fires.
The relief loan program is designed to assist members who have been impacted by a natural disaster with accessing loan products critical to repair and recovery efforts.
Members who live or work in the affected counties (Amador, Calaveras, Napa and Lake) are eligible to apply for short-term loans of up to $5,000 to help with expenses associated with the unexpected hardship.
The program also offers modified payment options for existing loans.
"We at Golden 1 are saddened by the devastating effects the Butte and Valley fires have had on our members and the impacted communities as a whole,” said Richard Musci, executive vice president and chief products officer of Golden 1. "By activating our Natural Disaster Relief Program and making a donation to the Red Cross, we hope to provide much-needed relief to the area’s residents as they rebuild and restore their lives."
A natural disaster must be declared by the State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and/or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Golden 1’s $20,000 donation to the American Red Cross for Butte and Valley fire relief efforts will provide aid to community residents who have been impacted by the fires, which combined have burned more than 135,000 acres and destroyed hundreds of homes and structures.
More information about Golden 1’s Natural Disaster Relief Program can be found at https://www.golden1.com/disasterrelief/default .
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