WASHINGTON, DC - Following the unexpected heartbreak of the fire that broke out on a boardwalk in Seaside Park, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez today offered his assistance to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in helping to rebuild the small businesses that were damaged by the fire.
A copy of Senator Menendez's letter to Governor Christie can be downloaded here and the text is below.
September 17, 2013
The Honorable Chris Christie
Office of the Governor
PO Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625
Dear Governor Christie,
I am writing to offer my assistance as you continue your efforts to help the small businesses that were damaged or destroyed by the September 12th fire that began in Seaside. I commend the outstanding job our brave first responders have done to prevent loss of life and limit damage, and I stand ready to assist in pursuing federal programs that can provide additional assistance in this latest response and recovery effort.
Specifically, my office has been in touch with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as the Small Business Administration (SBA), which operates two business disaster loan programs: the Physical Disaster Loan Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program. I am continuing to monitor the situation and explore all possible options to ensure we make every effort at the federal level to assist New Jersey.
Since any federal assistance is dependent on your request, please know that I stand ready to assist you once you have fully surveyed the damage and made a determination about whether to request federal assistance. As always, I will support your efforts in any way possible to get all of the assistance these New Jersey businesses need. I look forward to continuing to work with you on this and other matters important to New Jersey.
Sincerely,
Robert Menendez
United States Senator
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