Letter from the President regarding Tornado Assistance

I have written two updates on the Springfield Chamber’s activities regarding helping to address the needs of the business community and our residents after the tornadoes of June 1st. I want to sincerely thank all of our fine members who have responded to the Chamber with offers of space and services. I also want to thank all of our fine members who have responded either directly through making funds available or through reaching out to so many of the great organizations involved in the recovery and rebuilding efforts.

This message is to be sure that you know of the presidential declaration of the disaster that was made and of the many programs that the declaration makes available to businesses and residents. Even if you were not affected, you might know someone that was and I am asking that you reach out to them to be sure they know how to begin this process. I am sure that when someone affected is concentrating on getting through each and every day, it might be easy to loose site of the hope that the availabilities of these programs might bring to their future.

Since the declaration, all aspects of recovery are now going through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and paperwork being processed by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Even if someone had filed papers with an agency previous to the declaration, they should start now by registering with FEMA which they should do by calling 1-800-621-3362 or via the web at www.fema.gov. After this process you will receive a 9 digit registration number that you will need for all filings.

The SBA has programs for homeowners and renters alike. They also have loans for businesses for physical damage as well as economic injuries which are geared to helping businesses meet their financial obligations during the time they otherwise cannot operate as they normally do.

Rather than explaining all of these programs, the following documents provide some information that I believe you will find helpful in this process.

List of FEMA/SBA Disaster Recovery Centers
SBA Fact Sheet – Disaster Loans
SBA Fact Sheet – Disaster Loans - Spanish

Lastly, I was pleased to be asked to participate at an announcement yesterday with Governor Patrick, Lt. Governor Murray, and Secretary Bialecki, along with Ann Awad, director of the Caring Health Center, held to announce that entity’s commitment to rebuild, and expand their center at their proposed site in the middle of the South End. They had been planning this expansion and their building sustained over $ 500,000 in damages. Never -the-less, they announced their intention to continue with their plans hoping to break ground in the fall! An $ 18 million investment, 50 construction jobs, and 175 permanent jobs are coming. With a commitment like that, we all ought to recognize that we are rebounding and rebuilding better than ever. br />
Finally, as you can see from the above, businesses are re-opened; the public’s safety has been assured. It is now up to ALL of us to visit those businesses and if need be break our old habits and go out of our way to visit those businesses as a small sign of our support. Springfield, Munson, Brimfield, Sturbridge…..wherever you find your self close by stop in.

As always, please feel free to contact me with any offer of help, or any request for assistance. We continue to be involved with the local and state authorities. Above all, reach out to anyone affected and have them call the FEMA number, 1-800-621- 3362 which is the first step in any possible relief assistance.

Sincerely,
Jeffrey S Ciuffreda
President
Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
Ciuffreda@myonlinechamber.com
Direct telephone (413) 755-1312