Freeborn County residents and businesses affected by the June storms will now have some assistance available. When Gov. Tim Pawlenty declared a disaster in the county on July 2, he did so for area cities and local governments. Also, because so many residents and businesses were insured, the Federal Emergency Management Agency didn’t make assistance available.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Small Cities Program has allocated $200,000 for the county to disperse among residents or businesses that apply for assistance.

The assistance is only for the cost of debris removal for area residents. It can be the cost that has been paid to remove or dispose of debris, or it could cover the estimated cost of debris that has yet to be removed. Only those who received damage in the period of June 17 to June 26 should apply. Residents must have insurance and a letter from their insurance agency stating their policy did not cover the cost of debris removal, according to Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever.

Applications will be sent out to residents who let county officials know they had damage after the storm events. Applications can also be found on the Freeborn County website or at the courthouse and are due on Oct. 15. They must be hand-delivered to the courthouse or Albert Lea Housing Authority to qualify.

After Oct. 15 the county will look at all the applications to best figure out how to disperse the funds, and residents who qualify will be notified on Nov. 5. After that date reimbursements will begin.