ADVISORY: Governor Malloy is urging all state residents and business owners who experienced property damage from Hurricane Irene to report those damages to the state’s free Infoline by dialing 2-1-1. This will be used to help the state’s disaster declaration request from FEMA. Detailed information linked here. Data will be collected starting immediately. The 2-1-1 Infoline will be fielding calls seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Report damage by dialing 2-1-1 or go online at www.211ct.org.

The Governor’s news briefings to update Connecticut residents with the latest recovery information are available in their entirety via CT-N, Connecticut Network. View online via streaming video or on basic or expanded basic cable TV in most areas. CT-N and CT-N.com are managed and operated by the Connecticut Public Affairs Network, a not-for-profit company.

How to report storm-related damage to farms, link here.

Governor Malloy and Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner Catherine Smith announced a comprehensive business assistance program to help companies impacted by the hurricane.

“This storm had a tremendous impact on residents and businesses alike. As we move forward in our recovery efforts, I want to ensure that businesses that were affected get the financial and technical help they need in a timely fashion,” said the Governor. “Providing this type of assistance will ensure Connecticut companies get back to business, which in turn will help the state’s economy stay on track in the wake of this devastating storm.”

Businesses sustaining damage will be eligible for assistance, including bridge financing and loans covering uninsured losses, through DECD.

Highlights include:

Loans of up to $200,000 to companies for storm-related damage, including property, machinery and equipment, and working capital;

Loan guarantees of up to $200,000 will be provided to banks and other lenders to spur local lending to businesses impacted by the storm;

Grants will be available to businesses for assistance in disaster recovery, such as temporary help and training; and technical assistance, linking businesses to a wide array of state and federal resources.

Agricultural businesses are eligible for funding.

Access useful information that includes CL&P, United Illuminating, Northeast Utilities and a town-by-town outage map, at the state of Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy Hurricane Irene resource center, www.ct.gov/irene.

Twitter accounts listed on the state of Connecticut site provide a way to receive minute-by-minute updates from utilities, the state, Governor, Red Cross, and more.

The resource center site includes telephone numbers, web sites, current roadway incidents and closures for state roads, an interactive map, Connecticut Department of Insurance Hurricane Irene Insurance Resource (800-203-3447), links and more.