FEMA is not going to give funding to Beaufort County for the April 25 tornado damage and rebuild.

However, Gov. Pat McCrory announced in a press release Thursday that state grant assistance is available for people whose homes and businesses were damaged. The state aide is available through Disaster Outreach Centers located in Beaufort, Chowan, Pasquotank and Perquimans counties.

The state is offering grants and the U.S. Small Business Administration is accepting small interest loan applications, said the release.

Residents must apply for the loans first, but if they are turned down, they can apply for a grant through the state, according to the release.

“This help could not come at a better time,” McCrory said in his statement. “Now families can take come hope from the fact that they will have help replacing some of those losses and can soon begin cleaning up and rebuilding in earnest.”

Beaufort County residents can begin applying for the grants and loans today and Saturday at 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Disaster Outreach Center at Beaufort County Health Department. The center will also be open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday next week.

Recipients of the grants must use money they are awarded for their exact claim. If a grant is given for a car damaged by a falling tree, that grant must be used to buy a new car or repair the existing car.

“There will be follow up later to make sure they did,” said John Pack, Beaufort County emergency management coordinator. “The intent is to check up so the state can protect itself from fraud.”

The SBA is offering homeowners loans of up to $240,000 to repair or replace homes and personal belongings. Renters can receive up to $40,000 to replace damaged items. Businesses could earn up to as much as $2 million in loan assistance, the release said.

“What normally occurs is when FEMA makes a declaration, SBA tags along,” Pack said. “They (SBA) are a part of the whole disaster recovery center. SBA will come in with their loan program to try and help businesses and people with low interest loans.”

According to Pack, loans most likely will not be given to people who have poor credit.

VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) will be on hand to speak with people who may not be able to receive either a grant or loan. They also may be in a position to help those who received assistance with rebuilding their homes, according to Pack.

“They (VOAD) can triple the value of the grant or loan, “ Pack said. “If you need to rebuild your roof and you qualified for a grant, which was for $3,000. That might not be enough to fix your roof through a contractor. That $3,000 will be enough to buy the materials and VOAD will go up there and fix it for you because you got them the materials through the grant.”

The Beaufort County Health Department is located at 1436 Highland Drive, Washington.