From Staff Reports

Pelham residents hoping for relief for June floods were recently granted a disaster status by the Small Business Administration, according to a press release issued by the City of Pelham.

The SBA declared Shelby County and contiguous counties of Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Jefferson, Saint Clair and Talladega disaster status following flash flooding that occurred June 16-17.

Area residents may now apply for low interest loans from the organization.

The announcement came after Pelham failed to receive a disaster declaration or aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Officials from the SBA opened an office at the Pelham Civic Complex on June 30 to receive applications.

&uot;Many of our residents were devastated by the recent flooding,&uot; said Pelham Mayor Bobby Hayes.

&uot;We are pleased to receive this declaration of disaster status from the Small Business Administration and encourage our residents to take advantage of the assistance available through the SBA office at the Pelham Civic Complex.&uot;

The office will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays until further notice. The office will be closed July 4-6.

Applications for loans for physical damage may be filed until August 25, 2003 and for economic injury until the close of business on March 29, 2004 at the following address:

U.S. Small Business Administration, Disaster Area 2 Office, One Baltimore Place, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30308.

For more information call 1-800-359-2227, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m