Flood Aid Expanded To Cover Burned Stores In St. Maries

At Idaho Sen. Dirk Kempthorne’s request, businesses impacted by the biggest fire in St. Maries in 20 years will be eligible for Small Business Administration loan programs.

The businesses which burned in the fire, and other businesses that will suffer economic injury as a result of the fire, have been included in Idaho’s flood disaster declaration.

“After reviewing the magnitude of the fire and then the devastating floods which came one week later, the Small Business Administration extended the benefits of the loan program to these folks who are going to need help rebuilding,” Kempthorne said.

City officials and business owners contacted Kempthorne and asked that the burned out businesses be included in the overall flood disaster declaration. Kempthorne took that request to Small Business Administration official Phil Lader who agreed that the fire-damaged businesses should be eligible for the low-interest loan programs.

The businesses damaged by the Jan. 30 fire were T.J. Moss and Co., The St. Maries Sausage Company and SM Boot Corral. Damage from the fire is estimated at over $700,000. The businesses have until May 6 to apply for the loan programs.

Other businesses which have suffered economic injury from the fire have until Dec. 5 to make their applications with the loan program.