Got this from Herb Lawrence, ASBTDC Director this morning. Passing it along:

I have been getting a lot of e-mails and phone calls from business owners especially in Northeast and North-Central Arkansas wanting to be updated on any federal disaster assistance due to the recent ice storm. I just got this information in and wanted to share it with all of you and encourage you to pass it on to any small businesses or others in the area you work with.

The SBA joined FEMA for a Preliminary Damage Assessment yesterday. As of now they are looking at ten counties Benton, Caroll, Clay, Izard, Lawrence, Poinsett, Randolph, Searcy and Stone. More will probably be added.

Conversation with SBA folks they hope that it will result in a Disaster Declaration before end of week or first of next week and then will be able to get assistance to small businesses.

If you know any small businesses who were affected and they want to stay updated they can e-mail me [email protected] and we will put them on our distribution list to get updated information.