10/26/2007 GAAS:865:07 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Support for Small Businesses Affected by Wildfires
“Small businesses play a vital role in California's economy and contribute so much to our state,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “We must do everything we can to get businesses up and running again and people back to work. These actions will jump start that process.”
The executive order signed by the Governor assists the victims of the devastating wildfires by suspending the one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance, waiving fees and assisting in the replacement of certain vital documents and expediting the cleanup and debris removal process. The Governor also requests the Franchise Tax Board and the Board of Equalization to use their administrative powers where appropriate to assist fire victims with filing extensions or relief from penalties and assessments in the order.
“This extension is critical for the small businesses that were affected by the wildfires to bounce back from this disaster as quickly as possible,” said California Small Business Advocate Marty Keller.
Governor Schwarzenegger yesterday directed the Small Business Disaster Assistance Loan Guarantee Program to be activated to guarantee $7 million in loans for farms, agriculture-related businesses and businesses in communities that suffered damage or significant economic loss as a result of the Southern California wildfires. The U.S. Department of Labor also yesterday approved California’s request for a $50 million grant that will help hire over 3,000 workers in temporary disaster assistance jobs in the areas affected by the wildfires.
