2010 Metro Mitigation Plan

It is also important to note that the federal government may issue a disaster declaration
through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and/or the Small Business Administration, as well
as through FEMA. The quantity and types of damage are the factors that determine whether
such declarations are issued.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides assistance to farmers and other rural
residents, as the result of natural disasters. Agricultural-related disasters are quite common.
One-half to two-thirds of the counties in the United States have been designated as disaster
areas in each of the past several years. Agricultural producers may apply for low-interest
emergency loans in counties named as primary or contiguous in a disaster designation.
USDA Secretarial disaster designations must be requested of the Secretary of Agriculture by a
governor or the governor‟s authorized representative, or by an Indian Tribal Council leader.
Davidson County is currently not a primary county with a USDA designation.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides disaster assistance to families and
businesses through its Disaster Assistance Program. The mission of this program is to offer
financial assistance to those who are trying to rebuild their homes and businesses in the
aftermath of a disaster. By offering low-interest loans, the SBA is committed to long-term
recovery efforts. SBA is also committed to mitigation, and has additional loan programs to
help reduce future losses.
A state governor may request an SBA declaration. When the governor‟s request for
assistance is received, a survey of the damaged area(s) is conducted with state and local
officials, and the results are submitted to the Administrator for a decision. When the
Administrator of SBA declares an area, both primary and adjacent counties are eligible for the
same assistance.
SBA will make a physical disaster declaration or economic injury disaster declaration.
Currently, Davidson County is eligible for one SBA Declaration:
#R204 – Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. Small
businesses employing military reservists may apply for economic injury disaster loans
if those employees are called up to active duty during a period of military conflict
existing on or after March 24, 1999 and those employees are essential to the success of
the small business daily operations.
Coinciding with Federal Disaster FEMA-1167-DR, the Small Business Administration
provided approximately $20,000 to Davidson County under SBA Declaration #2929.
Metropolitan Nashville - Davidson County
Hazard Identification
Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Page 4-5
April 2010