Ag News

Application period open for Safety 24 Hurricane Helene relief

The Georgia Development Authority is taking applications for the SAFETY 24 Hurricane Helene Relief Loan Program. This low-interest, emergency loan program will provide Georgia farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene essential funds to recover from damage, replace lost income, and continue farm operations until additional federal aid is delivered.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture worked with the Georgia Development Authority to get the SAFETY 24 loan program up and running after Gov. Brian Kemp announced on Nov. 1 that the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission approved redirecting $75 million to the development authority to provide disaster relief loans to farmers hit by Hurricane Helene. An additional $25 million was allocated for timber debris cleanup programs being administered by the Georgia Forestry Commission. Dec. 6 is the signup date for these programs. Visit www.gatrees.org to apply for the timber programs and for more information.

Farm operators who suffered losses from Hurricane Helene and reside in a FEMA designated disaster area or adjacent county are eligible to apply for up to $500,000 at a 2% fixed interest rate. This special loan program will be administered on a first come, first serve basis. Eligible uses of these funds include income replacement, operating capitol, repairing or replacing damaged farm structures, repairing or replacing damaged equipment, and the purchase of machinery or equipment necessary to recover from hurricane damage.

“Georgia’s farmers have experienced unprecedented losses as a result of Hurricane Helene and the storms that followed it, and we’re taking decisive action on the state level to provide relief for them as quickly as possible,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “While we continue to call on Congress to take quick action in providing block grants that will further provide relief, we joined together with our partners in the legislature, Department of Agriculture, and Georgia Development Authority to move quickly in infusing this program with new funding. This is a significant step on the road to recovery, but it will not be the last. We will continue fighting for the hardworking men and women of our No. 1 industry and all Georgians impacted by Helene.”

To apply, visit https://www.gdaonline.com/hurricane-helene-loan-program/ for the application form, SAFETY 24 Product Loss Verification form and additional details. Applications can be submitted online via email or via regular mail. Online applications should be sent to anita@gdaonline.com. Printed applications should be sent toGeorgia Development Authority, 1890 Highway 130, Monroe, GA 39655.

To be considered, applications must include the SAFETY 24 Application Form and the SAFETY 24 Product Loss Verification. The loss verification form is to be completed by the producer’s crop insurance agent, UGA Extension Service, Farm Service Agency, or a loan specialist. An Operating Credit Continuity Agreement is also required. This agreement must be obtained from applicants’ primary operating credit provider stating that the primary operating credit provider will continue financing operating capital for the applicant, after the SAFETY 24 loan closes, for the next year of operation. If the operation does not require credit for operating capital and therefore a letter from a primary operating credit provider is not obtainable, a letter of intent from an entity the farm has a contractual relationship with stating that the entity will continue the contractual relationship with the farm will suffice.

Preliminary assessments from University of Georgia estimate the economic impact of Hurricane Helene on agriculture - Georgia’s #1 industry - at $6.46 billion, including $3.2 billion in direct losses to Georgia farmers.

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