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Federal Disaster Loans Available For Those Impacted By Earthquake

The USGS Community Internet Intensity map charts where the earthquake was felt. Image courtesy: earthquake.usgs.gov

Low-interest disaster loans are now available in several counties affected by an August earthquake.

The earthquake that struck on August 9th was centered in northwest North Carolina, a few miles southeast of Sparta.

According to the North Carolina Geological Survey, the 5.1 magnitude quake was the strongest in North Carolina since 1926.

Initial assessments reported over 500 structures were damaged by the quake.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is now offering low-interest loans to homeowners and small businesses in Alleghany, Ashe, Surry, and Wilkes Counties, as well as Grayson County in Virginia.  

The Winston-Salem Journal reports that those needing to apply for federal assistance can visit a disaster recovery center in Sparta or fill out an online application.

In addition, Governor Roy Cooper has signed a state disaster declaration that will provide funding for those who don't qualify for an SBA loan.

Neal Charnoff joined 88.5 WFDD as Morning Edition host in 2014. Raised in the Catskill region of upstate New York, he graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1983. Armed with a liberal arts degree, Neal was fully equipped to be a waiter. So he prolonged his arrested development bouncing around New York and L.A. until discovering that people enjoyed listening to his voice on the radio. After a few years doing overnight shifts at a local rock station, Neal spent most of his career at Vermont Public Radio. He began as host of a nightly jazz program, where he was proud to interview many of his idols, including Dave Brubeck and Sonny Rollins. Neal graduated to the news department, where he was the local host for NPR's All Things Considered for 14 years. In addition to news interviews and features, he originated and produced the Weekly Conversation On The Arts, as well as VPR Backstage, which profiled theater productions around the state. He contributed several stories to NPR, including coverage of a devastating ice storm. Neal now sees the value of that liberal arts degree, and approaches life with the knowledge that all subjects and all art forms are connected to each other. Neal and his wife Judy are enjoying exploring North Carolina and points south. They would both be happy to never experience a Vermont winter again.

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