News

Mass. farms, businesses may qualify for storm aid

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts may not have been taken quite as hard a punch from Superstorm Sandy as some other northeastern states, but officials say help may still be available for Bay State farms and businesses affected by the storm.

State agriculture officials say farmers who sustained damage to crops, livestock or equipment from the storm may be eligible for emergency funding or loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency.

Farmers seeking information about the programs should contact their local FSA office.

U.S. Sen. John Kerry has written to the Small Business Administration asking that Massachusetts businesses that sustained losses from Sandy be eligible for low-interest loans.

President Barack Obama issued an emergency declaration for Massachusetts prior to the arrival of the storm.