SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) Vermont’s U.S. Rep. Peter Welch says he wants the federal Small Business Administration to be more flexible when dealing with the smallest businesses hurt by disasters.
Welch, a Democrat, says he saw the need for the new federal disaster relief program after meeting with small business owners affected by Tropical Storm Irene. At a news conference Monday at the Burlington International Airport, he said small businesses often are hampered by paperwork requirements they need to complete to get SBA disaster loans.
As an example, Welch highlighted the challenge faced by Skip Hoblin, owner of Snowfire Auto in Duxbury, whose business records were inaccessible in the storm’s immediate aftermath.