PRESS RELEASE // ATLANTA, GA – Due to an update to FEMA policy on January 2, 2018, private non-profit Houses of Worship are eligible to apply for potential funding to help with certain disaster-related costs under FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program. There are some requirements that have to be met and 3 informational, applicant briefings are scheduled for interested parties. PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS NOT HANDLED THROUGH EVANS COUNTY AND WE DO NOT HAVE ANY MORE INFORMATION THAN WHAT WE HAVE PROVIDED. ANY DETAILED QUESTIONS CAN BE DIRECTED TO GEMA AT 404-635-7019.

The official documentation from GEMA/FEMA can be viewed here.

Applicant Briefing Information
Information and requirements will be addressed during Applicant Briefings. There are 3 Applicant Briefings scheduled. It is necessary to participate in an Applicant’s Briefing to be considered for this assistance. Applicant Briefings for Houses of Worship are scheduled for the following dates and times:

1. Monday, January 29, 2018 9:30am EST

• To Join By Phone:
  1. Dial 1-855- 282-6330 (Toll Free)
  2. When prompted enter this Meeting number (access code): 645 303 518#
• To Join By WebEX:
  1. Enter in your Internet Browser: https://gema.webex.com
  2. When prompted enter this Meeting number (access code): 645 303 518
  3. When prompted the Meeting password is: PDM3Xuxi

2. Tuesday, January 30, 2018 6:30pm EST

• To Join By Phone:
  1. Dial 1-855-282-6330 (Toll Free)
  2. When prompted enter this meeting number (access code): 641 899 421#
• To Join by WebEX:
  1. Enter in your Internet Browser: https://gema.webex.com
  2. When prompted enter this meeting number (access code): 641 899 421
  3. When prompted the Meeting password is: FyZJSG45

3. Wednesday, January 31, 2018 1:30pm EST

• To Join By Phone:
  1. Dial 1-855- 282-6330 (Toll Free)
  2. When prompted enter this meeting number (access code): 641 976 412#
• To Join By WebEX:
  1. Enter in your Internet Browser: https://gema.webex.com
  2. When prompted enter this meeting number (access code): 641 976 412
  3. When prompted the Meeting password is: b6uUPgSJ

The Evans County C.A.R.E.S Annual Chili Cook-Off was especially eventful for Evans County. The annual event serves as a community fundraiser to aid in the fight to defeat cancer. Representatives from local businesses, civic associations, non-profits, and churches from around town, go head-to-head presenting their submissions for the public to try, vote, and donate to further cancer research. Officially, it’s a chili cook-off, but as everybody knows, chili is more than what’s on the menu. From chowders to soups to desserts, the possibilities for the palette are almost endless!

We’re proud of the Evans County Board of Commissioners and the Evans County Fire Department for BOTH placing first place in their respective categories. The Evans County BOC won first in the “Main Dish” category and the Evans County Fire Department won first place in the “Best Tasting Chili” category. We want to give a special thanks to Commissioners Irene Burney and Jill Griffin and Firefighters Donny Bates, Tracy Beasley and Amanda Starling for representing their organizations and bringing their culinary A-game to the event! Congratulations!

PRESS RELEASE // WASHINGTON, DC – Administrator Linda McMahon of the U.S. Small Business Administration issued the following statement after the announcement of the Presidential disaster declaration for the counties in Georgia affected by Hurricane Irma that began on Sept. 7, 2017:

“The SBA is strongly committed to providing the people of Georgia with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist businesses, homeowners and renters with federal disaster loans. Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”
The disaster declaration covers Camden, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh counties in Georgia, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Brantley, Bryan, Charlton, Effingham, Evans, Long, Tattnall and Wayne in Georgia; Nassau in Florida; and Jasper in South Carolina.

Businesses and nonprofits can apply up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Loans for working capital, known as Economic Injury Disaster Loans, are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. Homeowners can apply up to $200,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged real estate. Homeowners and renters can apply up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property including automobiles.

Interest rates are as low as 3.305 percent for businesses, 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations, and 1.750 percent for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA customizes loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s circumstances.

Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar disaster.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or on the FEMA mobile App. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Services may also call 800-621-3362. People who use TTY may call 800-462-7585.

Additional details on the locations of Disaster Recovery Centers and the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Completed applications should be returned to a recovery center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. For more information about SBA recovery assistance, visit www.sba.gov/disaster

The filing deadline to submit applications for physical property damage is Nov. 14, 2017. The deadline for economic injury applications is June 15, 2018.

For more information about the SBA’s Disaster Loan Program, visit their website at www.sba.gov/disaster.

PRESS RELEASE (GDOT) // CLAXTON, GA – Gus Tippins Road/County Road (CD) 77 in Evans County will close Monday, July 24 and remain closed while the Bull Creek Bridge is replaced.

The bridge is located five miles east of Claxton and one mile south of Daisy. The existing bridge was built in 1955 and has posted weight restrictions due to deterioration of the timber piling. The bridge will be dismantled and a new bridge will be constructed at the same site, requiring a detour.

This 4.3 mile-long detour route will be signed as: west on Melissa Street; south on Old Highway 250/Main Street; east on Sunbury Road, but motorists can access residences in the area up to the work zone.

If the weather cooperates, the $1.7 million project is expected to be complete in the spring of 2018.

PLEASE CONTACT JILL NAGEL, GDOT DISTRICT 5 COMMUNICATIONS, AT 912.424.6643 WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

PRESS RELEASE // ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $5 million in
low-interest disaster loans for businesses and residents in Georgia affected by Hurricane Matthew that occurred on Oct. 4-15, 2016.

“Currently, 224 disaster loans have been approved in the amount of $5,385,900 for affected survivors,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta. “We are pleased to get these loans approved so residents in the disaster area can start to rebuild and resume their normal lives. I encourage anyone who has not submitted an SBA disaster loan application to do so as quickly as possible.”

The disaster declaration covers the counties of Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Wayne in Georgia, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Appling, Brantley, Camden, Candler, Emanuel, Jenkins, Pierce, Screven and Tattnall in Georgia; and Hampton and Jasper in South Carolina.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by downloading the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free Helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY).

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications can be returned to a recovery center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Dec. 16, 2016. The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 17, 2017.

PRESS RELEASE // SAVANNAH, GA – Georgia survivors who registered with FEMA for disaster assistance after Hurricane Matthew are encouraged to “stay in touch” to resolve issues, get updates on their applications or provide new information.

Survivors can call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 for status updates on their applications or to check whether they submitted the correct documents. Applicants changing addresses, phone numbers or banking information should notify FEMA. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays in receiving assistance.

Callers to the helpline should refer to the nine-digit number they were issued at registration. This number is on all correspondence applicants receive from FEMA and is a key identifier in tracking assistance requests.

Survivors can also call the helpline to:

• Update insurance information.
• Receive information on the home inspection process.
• Add or remove the name of a person designated to speak for the applicant.
• Find out if FEMA needs more information about their claim.
• Update FEMA on the applicant’s housing situation.
• Learn how to appeal an eligibility determination.
• Get answers to other questions about their applications.

Survivors have until Dec. 16 to register with FEMA for storm-related damage in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Wayne counties. Damage must have occurred Oct. 4-15.

Applicants may update their information the following ways:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish).
• Download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish).
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Help is available in many languages.

PRESS RELEASE // SAVANNAH, GA – Disaster unemployment assistance is available to workers in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Wayne counties who lost income as a direct result of Hurricane Matthew in Georgia.

The purpose of disaster unemployment assistance is to help workers whose primary incomes are lost or interrupted by a federally declared disaster. It differs from regular state unemployment insurance because it provides benefits to people who are self-employed, farmers, loggers and employees who work on commission.

Individuals in the 10 counties approved for disaster assistance in Georgia must first apply for regular unemployment insurance by visiting the Georgia Department of Labor website at dol.georgia.gov or apply in person at any Georgia Department of Labor career center. For locations, visit dol.georgia.gov/locations/career-center.

The Georgia Department of Labor will notify claimants if they are also eligible to file for disaster unemployment assistance.

Eligible claimants in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, McIntosh and Wayne counties must apply for disaster unemployment assistance by Friday, Nov. 18. Applicants in Evans, Liberty and Long counties must apply no later than Monday, Nov. 28.

For more information on applying for disaster unemployment assistance visit the Georgia Department of Labor website

PRESS RELEASE // SAVANNAH, GA – Free legal assistance is now available to low-income Georgia disaster survivors who need help with home repair contracts and contractors, counseling on landlord-tenant issues or assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims.

Disaster often brings chaos, which can result in disagreements. Legal help is available to survivors in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Wayne who can’t afford to hire a lawyer to deal with disaster-related issues. Damage must have occurred from Oct. 4-15.

Legal assistance can include:

• Help securing FEMA and other government benefits available to disaster survivors
• Replacement of wills and other important legal documents lost or destroyed in the disaster
• Assistance with consumer protection issues such as price gouging and avoiding contractor scams in the rebuilding process
• Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems

The toll-free legal hotline to connect disaster survivors affected by Hurricane Matthew with legal aid providers is 866-584-8027. Local residents may call 404-527-8793. The lines are open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Individuals who qualify for assistance will be matched with Georgia lawyers who have volunteered to provide free, limited legal help. Assistance is not available for cases that will produce a fee; for example, those cases in which attorneys are paid part of the settlement by a court. Such cases are referred to a local lawyer referral service.

Consultations with attorneys are confidential.

Legal services are provided by FEMA partners, including the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Georgia Legal Services Program and Atlanta Legal Aid Society.

PRESS RELEASE // ATLANTA, GA – ACCG, Georgia’s County Association, recently awarded county officials with certificates for completing requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy. Recipients were presented with their achievement certificates during the 2016 Legislative Leadership Conference at the Jekyll Island Convention Center in Glynn County. At this event, Jill Griffin, Evans County Board of Commissioners Vice-Chairman was honored for successfully completing core requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy.

The Lifelong Learning Academy has been essential in providing an opportunity for county officials to enhance their knowledge in various areas while providing practical lessons that are applicable to situations in their respective counties.

“The Lifelong Learning Academy has been a valuable resource in my role as a county commissioner,” said Griffin. “Aside from the educational aspect, I am able to gain an alternative perspective from peers who have experienced similar county problems.”

For over two decades, ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia have worked in concert to provide supplemental training and educational tools for county officials. Members work to complete core requirements and can then choose from the abundant course options in a number of specialty tracks, such as intergovernmental relations and disaster and emergency preparedness.

“We offer an array of classes that support our members and prepare them for pressing county matters,” said Ross King, ACCG’s Executive Director. “County officials face unrelenting pressure to make decisions on issues they’ve often never encountered, making our sessions a viable component to their day-to-day operations. This program is a great example of the provision we offer counties to meet the needs of their citizens.”