9/18/2008
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Gov. Joe Manchin this week formally requested that the U.S. Small Business Administration issue a physical disaster declaration in response to the Sept. 10 fire that destroyed the Milton Flea Market in Cabell County. If the declaration is approved, it would allow the federal government (SBA) to provide low-interest loans to business owners affected by the fire.
The fire all but leveled the structures that contained more than 150 family-owned businesses, the governor said, many of which provide a living income for the owners.
“We were very fortunate that no one was injured in this fire, but the financial losses are devastating for many of the vendors who depended upon the income from their booths to survive,” the governor said. “The vendors lost about everything and almost all of them did not have insurance that covers this type of loss.”
The state’s emergency management officials have evaluated the fire and its damage to see what assistance might be available, and the SBA declaration is the appropriate source to seek help for the business owners in this case, the governor said.
“If there’s federal assistance that is available, I want to do what I can to help these folks get back on their feet,” said Manchin.
Contact Information
Jama Jarrett or Melvin Smith
304-558-2000