By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – More than a month after historic flooding in the Twin Cities, the U.S. Small Business Administration approved a disaster declaration.

U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis (IL-13) and Darin LaHood (IL-18), along with State Rep. Dan Brady, co-led a congressional delegation letter to the SBA Administrator last week supporting the request that provides long-term, low-interest loans.

“I have worked with all levels of government agencies to explore how we can help those affected by our area’s recent flooding,” State Rep. Dan Brady said. “This declaration will help open small loans for homeowners who continue to need help.”

Last month, severe storms caused up to 10-inches of flooding in McLean County. A damage assessment conducted this month found that many properties either incurred significant damage or were destroyed due to the flooding.

The long-term, low-interest loan applications are also available for Champaign, DeWitt, Ford, Livingston, Logan, Piatt, Tazewell, and Woodford counties affected by the storms.

“The recent flooding throughout McLean County has left many families and businesses needing assistance,” Rep. Davis said in a news release. “This is why along with Congressman LaHood, I co-led a delegation support letter to the SBA advocating for a disaster declaration.”

For those who need in-person assistance with the loan application, the SBA is opening a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in a conference room in the McBarnes Building in Bloomington at 201 E. Grove St.

The Center’s hours of operation are Wednesday, July 28th, from Noon until 6:00 p.m. The Center is also open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 7th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].