Pawlenty seeks disaster declaration for 7 counties

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Pawlenty is asking for a federal disaster declaration for seven Minnesota counties, which would qualify people living there for an emergency loan program.

Pawlenty sent the request to the U.S. Small Business Administration on Wednesday for Faribault, Freeborn, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Polk, Steele, and Wadena counties.

The counties were hit hard by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from June 17-26. Pawlenty says a damage assessment found over 100 homes and businesses were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable.

Pawlenty says the affected counties should qualify for the emergency loan program because the SBA damage thresholds have been met.

The loans are intended to help the owners of homes, businesses and farms repair and rebuild after a disaster.

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Online:

Small Business Administration, emergency disaster loans: http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/

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