Certain private nonprofit agencies providing essential governmental services affected by December’s severe storms, wind, mudslides, landslides and flooding, may be eligible for assistance under the Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Program.

 Qualifying private nonprofits are those that provide education, medical, custodial care, emergency, utility, certain irrigation facilities, and other essential governmental services.

For eligibility, private nonprofits must:

* have a 501(c), (d), or (e) IRS designation, state tax-exempt status and bylaws;

* have facilities or offer services in one of the nine counties designated for Public Assistance aid, those counties include Coos and Curry; and

n have damaged facilities or expenses that were caused by the flooding and severe storms between Dec. 1-17, 2007.

The kinds of assistance that may be available to eligible nonprofits follow:

* Grants may be available for 75 percent of the cost of emergency services and debris removal related to the disaster.

* Agencies that provide critical services may be eligible for 75 percent of the costs of returning damaged sites to predisaster condition. “Critical services” include power, water, sewer, wastewater treatment, communications and emergency medical care.

* Non critical facilities may receive low-interest loans for permanent repairs from the U.S. Small Business Administration. They can contact the SBA at Disaster Recovery Center or an SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center; by calling (1-800)-659-2955; or online at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Those who are declined for an SBA loan or the loan does not cover all eligible expenses, can re-apply for a FEMA grant.  

All private nonprofit agencies needing aid from FEMA and/or the SBA are encouraged to file a Request for Public Assistance, which is available through local county emergency managers. Agencies with questions are encouraged to call their local county emergency manager.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, and other first responders.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants can call (800) 659-2955.