New funds discussed for victims of tornado in Jackson

A new funding program may become available soon for businesses damaged by the tornado that ripped through Jackson in May.

Chauncy Buchheit with the SEMO Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission met with five Jackson business people Thursday to hand out applications for state assistance that could include zero-percent loans.

The program is still being formed and doesn't even have an official name.

"I don't know how much money is going to be available," said Buchheit. "But I would guess the state would make at least a couple million bucks available."

Buchheit said he is simply seeking input so he can report back to the Missouri Department of Economic Development on how much money is needed in Jackson.

Buchheit said if the business owners had insurance, the economic development department has said it would grant zero-percent interest loans for almost anything disaster related, including cash-flow problems generated by an interruption of business, capital needs, infrastructure improvements and inventory.

He said some improvements may be allowed.

"They haven't given us any rules," he said. "Since the program doesn't exist, you can ask for anything you need. If you don't ask, you don't get it."

Sonic Drive-In general manager Bruce Maxwell, Garry and Gail Seabaugh from Seabaugh Woodworking and Vernon Kasten Jr. and Vernon Kasten Sr. of Ceramo all attended the meeting with Buchheit and Jackson Chamber of Commerce executive director Ken Parrett.

All of them said no-interest loans would be helpful, though they were a bit skeptical about the simplicity of Buchheit's request. The business operators said they've had more complicated dealings and frustrations with their individual insurance companies and the Small Business Administration.

"I'm kind of in a stalemate with the insurance company," Maxwell said. "We had inside damage that wasn't even addressed by the insurance. We had some equipment damage, some doors bent and some fallen ceiling tiles. We had some outside trash cans that disappeared but couldn't be reimbursed because we didn't have pictures of them."

Maxwell added that Sonic has lost business because some of the neon lights have not been replaced.

The Kastens said they may apply for loans to cover some of the business they've lost and for some costs incurred while purchasing supplies from overseas in order to keep their customers. Ceramo was badly hit by the tornado and construction is still ongoing.

"It'll be six weeks to two months before we know exactly what we'll need," said Kasten Sr.

Garry Seabaugh said he has a lot of expenses not covered by insurance and SBA assistance.

He now has a building set up where his old one used to be, but the Seabaughs are running low on money.

"This could really help," he said, although he said he expects it to be a complicated process.

Business owners affected by the tornado who did not attend the meeting can pick up applications at the Chamber of Commerce or they can call Buchheit at (573) 547-8357.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635