Baldacci announces new aid for flood victims

FORT KENT – Federal aid is expected, but hasn’t arrived yet. Local agencies are overwhelmed as The County and other parts of Maine recover from some of the worst flooding in state history.

To help businesses and residences devastated by the deluge, Gov. John Baldacci announced several new initiatives Thursday. They include:

. About $100,000 for flood-damaged communities statewide through the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development agency’s Urgent Need Grant Program. The funding covers serious and immediate threats to health and welfare. It can be used when immediate action is needed and no other funding sources are available.

The funding is meant to cover the gap between now and when an anticipated federal disaster declaration occurs. The declaration would free millions of dollars in federal aid. DECD can be reached at 207-624-9800 or by visiting www.econdevmaine.com.

. Low-interest loans available for businesses and individuals through the Finance Authority of Maine and the Maine State Housing Authority. FAME has made available low-interest economic recovery loans for Maine-based businesses in designated disaster areas.

FAME is partnering with Northern Maine Development Commission to facilitate the loan applications.

. Special insurance terms for lenders who provide bridge business loans to borrowers hurt by the storm are also available through FAME.

For information, contact FAME at 800-228-3734 or visit www.famemaine.com; contact NMDC at 800-427-8736 or visit www.nmdc.org.

. MaineHousing has low-interest rate loans for home replacement and for home repair. The damaged homes must be a primary residence.

For information, contact the Homeownership Department at 800-452-4668. Savings Bank of Maine will be the local lender in Aroostook County at 834-2282.

. The Maine Office of Tourism will provide additional marketing assistance for affected areas to limit the potential impact on the tourism-based economy. No dollar figure on the marketing assistance has been set.

Also, anyone with structures damaged by flooding should report it by calling 211.

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