TRENTON, N.J. – Local, regional and state government cultural institutions as well as private non-profit organizations may be eligible for disaster assistance. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance grants and Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans to repair or replace facilities and to salvage collections damaged by Hurricane Sandy may be available. Interested organizations can find out more about the process at a public forum for cultural, private non-profits on Saturday, December 15, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The forum will take place at Wilson Hall Auditorium at Monmouth University, 400 Cedar Ave., West Long Branch, NJ 07764.The forum is sponsored by the Heritage Emergency National Task Force in cooperation with the following New Jersey state partners: the Council of the Arts, the Council for the Humanities, the Historic Preservation Office, the Historical Commission, the State Library, the State Archives, and the New Jersey Association of Museums. Heritage Emergency National Task Force is co-sponsored by Heritage Preservation and FEMA.All organizations seeking assistance need to submit a simple, one-page application, which is available by following the “Disaster Public Assistance” link on the website of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management: http://www.state.nj.us/njoem/.The deadline for application to FEMA is Dec. 30. The SBA deadline is Dec. 31. Private non-profit organizations may be eligible. Cultural services may include museums, libraries, community centers, and other similar services that are open to the general public.The Request for Public Assistance Form should be sent to:Lt. Col. Jerome HatfieldAlternate Governor’s Authorized RepresentativeNew Jersey Office of Emergency ManagementP.O. Box 7068West Trenton, N.J. 08628-0068Attention: Lt. Jeffrey MottleyTelephone: 609-882-2000, ext. 2700 or 2500Fax number: 609-882-1694SBA customer service representatives are available at ten Business Recovery Center locations throughout New Jersey to assist businesses, including non-profit organizations, with the disaster loan application and process.For more information, and up to date forms, visit:https://www.heritagepreservation.org/federal/index.htmlHurricane Sandy InformationNew Jersey Department of Community Affairs
