(Richmond) — Local farmers and small businesses are eligible for help recovering from the remnants of Hurricane Helene.
Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday that the Virginia Small Business Finance Authority, in partnership with the Tobacco Commission, will offer disaster loans to farmers and agricultural and forestry small businesses located in counties hit by the storm. That includes Danville and Pittsylvania County.
“Virginia’s farmers and forestry professionals are the backbone of our economy, and their resilience has always been a testament to the strength of our Commonwealth,” said Youngkin. “Through the Agricultural Disaster Microloan Program, we’re ensuring that these vital industries have the resources they need to rebuild. This program is a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to restore and revitalize the communities hardest hit by Hurricane Helene.”
The Agricultural Disaster Microloan Program offers low-interest loans of between five-thousand and $50,000 to help farmers and owners of agricultural and forestry businesses recover from the storm’s effects. That includes any revenue loss or the repair and replacement of damaged equipment. There is $6 million available in the fund.
“Virginia’s agriculture and forestry businesses provide a critical foundation for local communities and our economy as a whole throughout Southwest Virginia,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “With this microloan program, we are offering small loans to farmers facing extraordinary challenges from Hurricane Helene. This initiative underscores our commitment to helping Virginia’s agricultural and forestry sectors not only survive but rebuild stronger than ever.”
Two tornadoes spawned by Helene touched down in Pittsylvania County. One was an EF-2 tornado in Dry Fork that stayed on the ground for seven miles with winds of 118 miles per hour. 32 structures were damaged and a mobile home was destroyed. A woman living in the mobile home was hurt.
A small smaller EF-1 tornado touched the ground briefly in Keeling about two hours later. No one was hurt.
Pittsylvania County Public Safety is still compiling a final damage report.