Contact Information

  • Governor's Office, 360-902-4111

Governor Gregoire Announces Low-Interest Loans for Small Businesses Affected by Tripod Fire

For Immediate Release: November 22, 2006

OLYMPIA - Governor Chris Gregoire today urged small business owners impacted by the Tripod Complex Fire in Okanogan County to visit U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Centers next week in Conconully and Winthrop.

�Small businesses are a vital part of the Washington economy and the SBA�s low-interest loans will help them recover from the wildfires that tore through our state this summer,� said Governor Gregoire. �I would like to thank the SBA for acting promptly on my request to bring much-needed assistance to these Washingtonians.�

The Tripod Fire, which was ignited by lightning last July 24, blackened more than 175,000 acres in Okanogan County. Small businesses in the Methow Valley and the communities of Conconully and Winthrop were among the most affected by the fire.

SBA low-interest loans will be available for small businesses in Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Lincoln, Skagit and Whatcom counties. The deadline to apply for the SBA loans is August 22, 2007.

Disaster Loan Outreach Centers will be open next week at the following locations:

Conconully
November 28 and 29
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Community Hall
219 N. Main Street

Winthrop
November 30 and December 1
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Town Hall Council Chambers
206 Riverside Ave.

Small business owners unable to visit an SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center may obtain information by calling 1-800-659-2955. TDD services are available by calling 1-800-877-8339.

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