Bliss urges local citizens to hire locally during recovery efforts
PENNINGTON – State Rep. Matt Bliss, R-Pennington, urges area citizens to work with trusted, local sources to complete recovery work in the wake of recent tornado and flood damage.
A disaster declaration has been issued for 36 counties in Minnesota, including Beltrami and Cass in Bliss’s District 5A.
“Recovery efforts bring out the best in people as far as neighbors helping one another rebuild,” Bliss said. “Unfortunately, times like these also can bring out the worst in people as scam artists look to take advantage of folks who already are facing the ordeal of recovering their property. I encourage people to rely on reputable, local services during restoration projects. Hiring trusted businesses with a face and a name in our communities is the best way protect yourself from falling victim to scammers who may try to prey on the situation.”
Residents in the counties subject to the disaster declaration also may be eligible for low- or no-interest loans to help with recovery efforts. Farmers can apply for the zero-percent Disaster Loan Program offered by the Minnesota Rural Finance Authority. The program is designed to help cover clean-up cost, repair and replacement costs not covered by insurance.
Call the RFA at 651-201-6004 or visit www.mda.state.mn.us/agfinance for more information.
The other counties receiving the disaster declaration include Aitkin, Becker, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Jackson, Kittson, Lake, Lyon, Mahnomen, Martin, Mille Lacs, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, St. Louis, Waseca and Watonwan.
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