Federal officials declared Spruce Pine, N.C. a disaster area based on a request Gov. Mike Easley made shortly after a fire destroyed parts of downtown.
The governor’s office said more than 50 businesses were affected by fires that began in the early morning hours of Aug. 4.
The declaration by the U.S. Small Business Administration means businesses can apply for low-interest loans to help pay operating expenses while the area is rebuilt. The loans are available for businesses determined to have no other credit available.
“This assistance will help Spruce Pine rebuild their central business district and make it even better than it was before the fire,” Easley said in a written statement.
Officials charged David Kenneth McCall, 44, of Spruce Pine with arson, accused of setting several fires that caused more than $1 million in damage.
Spruce Pine is a town of about 2,000 residents about 50 miles northeast of Asheville.
On the Net:
SBA: http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance
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