WASHINGTON STATE GOVERNOR GARY LOCKE

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List of stories about May 9 Friday Harbor fire

Locke requests federal economic aid
for Friday Harbor businesses

OLYMPIA – Gov. Gary Locke asked the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to declare an emergency economic injury disaster to assist Friday Harbor business owners affected by the May 9 fire. The SBA provides EIDL assistance only to those businesses the agency determines are unable to obtain credit elsewhere.

According to the SBA Web Site small businesses and small agricultural cooperatives that have suffered substantial economic injury resulting from a physical disaster or an agricultural production disaster designated by the Secretary of Agriculture may be eligible for the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. Substantial economic injury is the inability of a business to meet its obligations as they mature and to pay its ordinary and necessary operating expenses. Loan amounts are based on actual economic injury and financial needs. The interest rate on EIDLs cannot exceed 4 percent per year. The term of these loans cannot exceed 30 years.

The Governor said the fire, which destroyed five businesses, also caused a large decline in retail sales to other businesses in the immediate area. Locke made the request to the SBA after inspecting damage to local businesses during a May 20, 2002 trip to Friday Harbor.

"The declaration can be a major boost in helping local shop owners recover from the devastating fire," said Locke. "I will urge the SBA to take prompt action on this request so shop owners can apply for low-interest loans to obtain working capital for their businesses."

In his letter to the SBA, Locke noted that Friday Harbor businesses suffered substantial economic injury as a result of the fire, and were in need of financial assistance "not otherwise available on reasonable terms." The governor noted that the fire "caused a large decline in retail sales for numerous other businesses, just as the tourist season began." Friday Harbor businesses rely on sales in the tourist season for a significant piece of their annual revenues.

Locke views fire scene

Governor Gary Locke poses with firefighters who fought the May 9, 2002 fire.

Locke listens to the owners of Hungry Clam and San Juan Florist.

Locke congratulated Friday Harbor Fire Chief Bob Low and District 3 Fire Chief Bill McLaughlin for a job well done.

Locke accepts a Friday Harbor Fire Department hat from Mayor Gary Boothman, Town Councilmember David Jones and Fire Chief Bob Low.

County Commissioner Darcie Nielsen and Gov. Locke listen to San Juan Souvenir and Gift Shop owner Doug Forgie. The family-owned business was in Friday Harbor for 16 years before it was destroyed in the fire.

posted 05/20/02
Governor Gary Locke visited Friday Harbor today, (May 20, 2002) to view the scene of the May 9 fire which destroyed five businesses. He offered assistance to the shopkeepers and praised the community for pulling together. "The fire was devastating," he said. "But it was an incredibly heroic effort by the volunteers who dropped everything to save the town."

He had read coverage of the fire and was impressed by Alia Knight's first-person account. "She has a great future as a writer," he said. "It was very rivetting."

Locke spoke with the owners of shops destroyed in the blaze. Federal low interest loans through the Small Business Association may be available. His office will work with county and town officials to see an economic disaster area should be declared. "We want to help, we need to help," Locke said. "We want to see theis island back in tip-top shape."

County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord greets Gov. Locke.

San Juan Island resident Joan Miller welcomed Gov. Locke.