FAULKNER COUNTY, Ark. — While many of us have focused on the March tornado and its subsequent cleanup efforts, many Arkansans saw storm damage this year.
Thousands saw damage after storms moved through the state on June 25, including in Faulkner County.
"There were several houses that were severely damaged, specifically in Conway," Faulkner County Administrator, Randy Higgins said. "Especially some of the old growth and the older areas of Conway took some pretty severe damage with the winds."
Higgins explained how people in the county still need help— and that's where the U.S. Small Business Administration comes in.
Mary Anne Bradfield is a Public Information Officer for the SBA who explained that the Presidential declaration was denied on November 15.
"So, five days later, we came in on November 20 and made the agency declaration," she added.
That declaration helps people who have been looking for aid in multiple counties across Arkansas and loans are available for homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profits.
"I would encourage folks to come in and make use of it," Bradfield said.
The only problem is that not everyone knows about it. While we were at the Faulkner County field office, no one stopped by. So Bradfield said she wants to get the word out, that aid is available and accessible.
"We can go up to $500,000 for home repair or replacement," she said. "We can go up to $100,000 for personal property for homeowners and renters."
There's no commitment to taking the loan if you're approved, and no fees to even apply for this. She explained that if you need help, you shouldn't hesitate to reach out— it's a message shared by Higgins as well.
"There's probably some people with, especially with, some significant damage to their house that are probably gonna need some assistance with some small loans to get back in their house," he said.
Assistance is available to people in the following counties:
- Arkansas
- Craighead
- Crittenden
- Cross
- Faulkner
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Lonoke
- Mississippi
- Poinsett
- Prairie
- Pulaski
- White
For more information on those loans, please click here.