Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today directed the Small Business Disaster Assistance Loan Guarantee Program to be activated to guarantee $7 million in loans for farms, agriculture-related businesses and businesses in communities that suffered damage or significant economic loss as a result of the southern California wildfires.

"These overwhelming wildfires have been extremely devastating and I will do everything I can to help these communities recover," said Gov. Schwarzenegger. "This program will keep the economy moving by helping small businesses that may not qualify for federal aid and provide interim funding for those businesses waiting for federal assistance to arrive."

California's Small Business Disaster Loan Guarantee Program was originally implemented in the wake of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. The Program provides guarantees to local lenders for loans made to small businesses and farmers afflicted by a disaster in order to prevent business insolvencies and loss of employment in areas affected by a state of emergency.

At Governor Schwarzenegger's direction, the state will leverage $500,000 in existing funds to provide up to $7 million in loan guarantees to small businesses impacted by the southern California wildfires.

For assistance related to economic damage caused by the southern California wildfires, a small business or farm enterprise should contact the nearest Financial Development Corporation:

California Southern

600 B Street, Suite 2450

San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 232-7771

www.casouth.com

Orange County

1913 E. 17th Street

Santa Ana, CA 92705

(714) 571-1900

Pacific Coast Regional

3255 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1501

Los Angeles, CA 90010

(213) 739-2999

www.pcrcorp.org

Inland Empire

516 N. Lemon Avenue

Ontario, CA 91764

(909) 391-6787

www.iefdc.org

Hancock

3600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 926

Los Angeles, CA 90010

(213) 382-4300

www.hsbfdc.org

San Fernando Valley

5121 Van Nuys Blvd., 3rd Floor

Pacoima, CA 91403

(818) 205-1770

www.sfvfdc.org

The Small Business Disaster Loan Guarantee Program is available for farm enterprises that engage in the production of food or fiber, or ranching and raising livestock. It is also extended to nurseries engaged in the wholesale or retail selling of plants and agriculture related enterprises such as packing shed co-ops, feed yards, cotton gins and food processors.

For non-agricultural small businesses, an applicant must be eligible for disaster assistance from the U. S. Small Business Administration. Assistance through the Small Business Disaster Assistance Loan Guarantee Program will provide "bridge" funding for those small businesses waiting for that federal assistance to arrive.

On October 21, 2007, Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a State of Emergency in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura to make more resources available to fight the fires.

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Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Governor Schwarzenegger Responds to President's Major Disaster Declaration for California Due to Southern California Wildfires

Governor Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding President George W. Bush's Major Disaster Declaration for California due to the southern California wildfires:

"This declaration means millions of dollars in much needed assistance to help our state rebuild and recover. The federal government did the right thing," said Gov. Schwarzenegger. "These wildfires have been extremely devastating to our state. Thousands of Californians have been evacuated from their homes and many have lost them. Maria and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the victims of these fires and our deepest gratitude to the brave firefighters who are continuing to fight them."

The Governor sent a letter to the President requesting a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of California as a result of the major wildfires. The President announced a Major Disaster Declaration this morning. This is now the President's second declaration, the first was a declaration of a State of Emergency.

The Major Disaster Declaration will give assistance to individuals, families and businesses such as low interest loans from the Small Business Administration, grants for temporary housing, home repairs and disaster unemployment assistance.

The declaration also includes funding for restoring damaged or replacing destroyed governmental infrastructure, such as roads, utilities and essential public buildings. It also includes reimbursement for a significant amount of emergency response costs and debris removal.

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Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Governor Schwarzenegger Announces $50,000 Reward toward Arrest and Conviction of Arsonist

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced a $50,000 reward for information leading toward the arrest and conviction in a California court of the person or persons responsible for setting the Santiago Fire. Below is the full text of the Governor's proclamation.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, there are more than 15 fires burning in southern California; and

WHEREAS, the fires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres, including thousands of homes, businesses and structures; and

WHEREAS, the fires have forced 321,500 people to evacuate; and

WHEREAS, in response to the fires, I issued a proclamation of emergency for seven counties, including Orange County, and the President of the United States declared a major disaster in those counties; and

WHEREAS, one of the fires in southern California is the Santiago Fire in Orange County, which has burned more than 20,000 acres, causing more than 40,000 people to evacuate; and

WHEREAS, state and local officials have determined that the cause of the Santiago fire is most likely arson; and

WHEREAS, the Governor is authorized by Penal Code section 1547(a) to offer rewards up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person who commits arson; and

WHEREAS, Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona has asked that a state reward be offered to encourage individuals with information about this crime to contact law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, rewards often encourage public cooperation essential to apprehend those who have committed serious offenses; and

WHEREAS, the reward will be paid in accordance with Penal Code section 1547.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, do hereby offer, effective immediately, a reward in the amount of $50,000 for new information, voluntarily given hereafter, leading to the arrest and conviction in a California court of the person or persons responsible for setting the Santiago Fire.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed at Sacramento, California this 24th day of October 2007.

__Signed__ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER

Governor, State of California

ATTEST:

__Signed__

DEBRA BOWEN

Secretary of State

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Press Release to the www.mabuhayradio.com sent by

Alexander Kim
Deputy Director
Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
300 South Spring Street, Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Tel. 213-897-0322 Fax. 213-897-0319