The Missouri State Treasurer is making low-interest loans available to over 40 counties trying to rebound from a string of weather-related disasters.
State Treasurer Clint Zweifel, who was in the St. Louis region Tuesday, says the loans will help homeowners and businesses qualify for loans in less than 24 hours.
Zweifel also says the new program will cut red tape and help qualified borrowers receive low-interest assistance loans in less than 24 hours.
"Based on our experience touring Mississippi County and our experiences talking with local officials here in St. Louis is that we need to eliminate red tape and bureaucracy to insure that we're really partnering with the community leaders and small business owners to help get them back on their feet," Zweifel said.
Zwiefel says the low-interest loans are currently available to 41 counties in Missouri, including St. Louis, St. Charles and St. Louis City.
(More detailed information is available at the State Treasurer's website).
Ferguson Mayor James Knowles says many residents are still clearing downed trees from last month's Good Friday tornado.
"We've cleared a lot of debris, as you can see, however, there's a lot of debris still in yards, still making its way out to the curbs," Knowles said. "So, it's kind of one of those situations where every time you feel like you've cleaned a street, the next day those curbs are filled with debris again."
President Obama signed an expedited federal disaster declaration Tuesday which will provide even more assistance for Missouri counties.
