New Times - San Luis Obispo

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BY DANIEL BLACKBURN

With a flourish of his pen, President George W. Bush Tuesday dubbed the San Simeon earthquake a major disaster and inked a formal declaration that will smooth the way for federal financial assistance for San Luis Obispo County residents, business owners, and for public purposes.

The president’s action will help provide federal aid in numerous forms to offset the estimated $250 million in damages suffered by the county in the Dec. 22 quake.

By making the declaration, Bush frees up funds for several historic public structures that were heavily damaged in the quake. Both Flamson Middle School in Paso Robles and the Atascadero City Hall and Printery Building will require extensive repair. Paso school officials have estimated the cost of repairing Flamson at $10 million to $15 million. Engineers are still estimating the degree of damage to the Atascadero structures.

Funds for grants and low-interest loans will come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Money can be used for emergency temporary housing and other expenses not covered by insurance policies.

Ron Alsop, director of the San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services, said the federal aid announcement “is the result of everybody coming together for the common good.”

He added, “Patience will be needed, but we are on the road to recovery.”

For those with structural damages to their residences, grants up to $25,000 are available from FEMA. The Small Business Administration can make a low-interest loan up to $200,000 for repairs to a primary residence, and $40,000 for replacement of personal property.

Renters are eligible for property loss loans up to $40,000.

Business owners can get loans up to $1.5 million for property loss.

And public agencies, with FEMA’s help, can recover up to 75 percent of the cost of repairing roads, bridges, and other tax-supported facilities. State emergency funds should assist with the remaining costs. ³

News Editor Daniel Blackburn can be reached at dblackburn@newtimesslo.com.