HARRISBURG - A pair of flood-relief bills approved Wednesday by the state House could fund repairs at a Northumberland County state park and pay interest on federal loans for small-business owners awarded disaster aid.
The bills, part of the Pennsylvania Flood Relief and Flood Control Package related to last September's historic flooding, were sent to the state Senate for consideration.
Shikellamy State Park could be in line for $213,000 for repairs to docks and gangways, along with debris cleanup and removal. The funding is part of a package that would allocate more than $6 million for repairs to state parks.
In a separate bill whose primary sponsor is Rep. Kurt Masser, R-107, up to $20,000 in grant money would be provided for each small business owner awarded a disaster loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The money would be awarded to pay interest on the loans.
"Certainly private citizens need and deserve assistance rebuilding what the flood waters took away, but we can't forget about the businesses that endured the same type of damages," Masser said in a press release.
"My proposal will provide some of our local businesses with the extra help they need to get back on their feet and get back in business."
The SBA awarded $93.5 million in low-interest disaster loans across the state. Of 27 Northumberland County applicants, seven were approved for more than $1 million in loans, according to the SBA.
Masser's bill would allow for up to $7.5 million to be allocated to qualifying small business owners. That's down from the $15 million sought in earlier versions of the bill.
"It was just an easier shot at passing it," Masser said Friday of the reduction in the bill.
Masser and relatives sustained flood damage at their businesses locally but did not apply for SBA disaster assistance, he said.