Text of Senator Charles Schumer's Letter to Hector V. Barreto U.S. Small Business Administration

Dear Administrator Barreto:

I am writing to respectfully urge the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide relief to the thirteen counties in the Finger Lakes and Central New York that were plagued by this week's ice storm. I urge you to declare the area a disaster so that small business loans will be available to local businesses who incurred damage to their stores or were forced to temporarily close their business because of the storm.

As you know, in the past SBA has made low-interest loans available to replenish working capital for small businesses that lose income caused by natural disasters. Because tens of thousands of area residents are still without heat and power, it is my strong belief that the scope and damage of the ice storm -- estimated by the National Weather Service to have brought ice accumulations one inch thick -- should elevate it to a high level of concern.

Utility crews have come from as far away as Maine and Maryland to help with the recovery effort, and Monroe, Wayne and Ontario counties remain in states of emergency. The other 10 counties declared states of emergency - Cayuga, Chenango, Livingston, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Orleans, Oswego, Seneca, and Yates - remain in need of significant recovery assistance, as well.

All too often, the forgotten victims in disasters like this one are the small mom-and-pop businesses that are forced to close their shops because they and their customers can't leave the house. Repairs for physical damage is vital in times like this, but we can't forget about those who suffer financial damage. I urge SBA to come through so that those adversely affected by the ice storm can obtain relief, too.

Thank you for your attention to my request. As always, if I may be of any assistance to you in this matter, please do not hesitate to call.

Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senate