The application period is now open for Georgia’s SAFETY 24 Hurricane Helene Relief Loan Program. The low-interest, emergency loan program will provide Georgia farmers funds to recover from Hurricane Helene damage, replace lost income and continue farm operations until additional federal aid is delivered.
Farmers who suffered losses from Hurricane Helene and reside in a Federal Emergency Management (FEMA)-designated disaster area or adjacent county are eligible for up to $500,000 at a 2% fixed-interest rate. The loan program will be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Eligible uses of these funds include income replacement, operating capitol, repairing or replacing damaged farm structures, repairing or replacing damaged equipment, and the purchase of machinery or equipment necessary to recover from hurricane damage.
“The SAFETY 24 program is meant to provide Georgia farm families with the capital they need to keep operating while we continue pushing Congress to deliver additional federal relief,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said while awaiting federal relief, “we joined together with our partners in the Legislature, Department of Agriculture and Georgia Development Authority to move quickly in infusing this program with new funding.”
HOW TO APPLY
The application form for the SAFETY 24 program, along with additional details, can be found here.
Applications can be submitted via email or regular mail. Online applications should be sent to anita@gdaonline.com. Printed applications should be sent to Georgia Development Authority, 1890 Highway 130, Monroe, GA 39655.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Applications must include these documents to be considered:
- SAFETY 24 Application Form
- SAFETY 24 Product Loss Verification
This form is to be completed by your crop insurance agent, University of Georgia Extension Service, Farm Service Agency or a loan specialist. - Operating Credit Continuity Agreement
An agreement must be obtained from applicant’s primary operating credit provider stating that the primary operating credit provider will continue financing operating capital for the applicant after the SAFETY 24 loan closes, for the next year of operation. If the operation does not require credit for operating capital and therefore a letter from a primary operating credit provider is not obtainable, a letter of intent from an entity the farm has a contractual relationship with stating that the entity will continue the contractual relationship with the farm will suffice.
Source: Georgia Department of Agriculture
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