Failing in his attempt to obtain a Presidential disaster declaration related to the January blizzard, Governor Christe asks the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to declare a physical disaster in Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland Counties.

Route 37 at Hooper Ave in Toms River during the blizzard
Route 37 at Hooper Ave in Toms River during the blizzard (Dan Alexander, Townsquare Media NJ)
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The move would open access to low-interest loans for blizzard damage repairs by home and business owners.

The major disaster declaration that was sought under the federal Stafford Act would have encompassed 17 counties.

In prepared remarks, the Governor acknowledged that "...the damage sustained did not meet the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) criteria for Individual Assistance."

Preliminary damage assessments, he said, indicate that Atlantic County meets SBA criteria for the disaster loan program, and the rest would be included as contiguous counties.

SBA disaster loans allow home owners to borrow up to $40,000 for storm damage repair or replacement, or up to $200,000 to restore property to pre-disaster condition. Business loans range as high as $2,000,000.

Many home and business owners in Ocean County have already applied for similar loans from the SBA, related to Superstorm Sandy.

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