Rep. Henry Cuellar announced that this week, Atascosa County will be provided with disaster relief assistance by the Small Business Administration (SBA).  The services come in response to Atascosa County being added to the disaster declaration by President Bush earlier this month.

Today, the SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center to provide personal assistance to homeowners, renters and businesses who sustained damage form the severe storms and tornadoes that struck Texas late last month.  Representatives will be available at 711 Broadway St. in Jourdanton starting today through Sat., June 2, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Customer service representatives will be on hand from both the SBA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist people.  Resources will be available to help citizens navigate the SBA disaster loan program and assist individuals with FEMA applications.

“As a member of the Small Business Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, I want to make sure that my constituents are aware of all of the services the SBA can provide.  My sympathies and prayers go out to those people who were affected by the storms.  I am committed to making sure that these victims receive the support they need to recover from the damage as quickly as possible,” said Cuellar.

Early today, a representative from Congressman Cuellar’s San Antonio office also met with two FEMA officials to make sure that the people affected by the natural disaster are receiving expedient assistance.

“We have come a long way in improving FEMA customer service.  As the Chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee that deals with emergency services and response, I want to ensure that the federal government does its part in community recovery.  My staff and I are available to help provide any information or assistance that we can,” said Cuellar.

For more information on SBA assistance, visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.  More information is available on FEMA services at www.fema.gov/rebuild.

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip.
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