SBA relief still available to private nonprofits affected by April storms; deadline for physical damage loans Aug. 11
(July 11, 2025) SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Missouri of the Aug. 11, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding occurring April 29.
The disaster declaration covers the Missouri counties of Barry, Greene, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton and Washington.
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Under this declaration, PNPs providing services of a governmental nature are eligible to apply for business physical damage loans. Eligible PNPs may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
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Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements might include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by any disaster. 
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“SBA loans help eligible private nonprofits cover both physical damage as well as economic injury after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help private nonprofits get back on their feet but help them rebuild.”
PNPs are also eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any physical property damage. 
Interest rates can be as low as 3.625% with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
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The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible. 
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To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
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The deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Aug. 11, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 9, 2026.
Sr. Citizens Tax Credit applications available; due by June 1
(Rev. April 15, 2025) Lawrence County property owners age 62 and older may now apply for the Senior Citizens Tax Credit. Deadline for the annual applications is June 1, 2025.
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Application forms may be downloaded here or picked up at the county collector's office on the main floor of the Historic Lawrence County Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square, Mt. Vernon. Completed forms must be notarized before turning them in at the collector's office. (Notary service is not available at the collector's office. Applicants should check with their banks, attorneys or other notary sources.)
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Office hours at the collector's office are 8 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed holidays).
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The Senior Citizens Tax Credit applies only to the taxpayer's primary residence. It will appear as a credit on the qualified taxpayer's property tax statement. People must reapply each year.
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Governor Kehoe Announces FEMA to Participate
in Joint Damage Assessments for April 28-29 Storms
(From the Office of Gov. Mike Kehoe, May 8, 2025) Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) of public infrastructure in six counties following the severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that heavily damaged areas of southwest and southeast Missouri from April 28 to 29.
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“Last week, intense severe storms once again brought destruction to areas of Missouri, further burdening families, businesses, and communities already dealing with the aftermath of previous damaging severe weather,” Governor Kehoe said. “The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has been on the ground for days, helping local officials document damage. Our local partners and SEMA believe the emergency response costs and damage to roads, bridges, and other important public infrastructure warrant a formal review by FEMA and meet the levels required for a federal disaster declaration for Public Assistance.”
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Joint PDAs are being requested for the following counties: Barry, Greene, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton and Washington. Additional counties may be added as damage information is received from local officials.
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Joint PDA teams are made up of representatives from FEMA, SEMA and local emergency management officials. Beginning Tuesday, May 13, five teams will verify documented damage to determine if Public Assistance can be requested through FEMA. Public Assistance allows local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies to seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement of damaged roads, bridges and other public infrastructure.
SEMA continues to coordinate with local officials, other state agencies, and volunteer and faith-based partners to identify needs and assist impacted families and individuals. If you have damage, you should contact your insurance company and file a claim as soon as possible.
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Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way by dialing 2-1-1 or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, including general clean-up information, housing assistance, and mental health services, visit recovery.mo.gov.
Board of Equalization convenes July 21
The Lawrence County Assessor has mailed out change of assessment notices and taxpayers may have questions concerning these changes in assessment figures.
Board of Equalization Procedures
If a taxpayer wants to challenge their change in assessed valuation, they should inquire about the issue before July 14, 2025. They may call the Assessor’s office to inquire about the change or they may call the County Clerk’s office at 417-466-2638 to schedule an appointment to meet with the Board of Equalization (BOE).
When they call the Clerk’s office they will be asked if they have already talked to the Assessor’s office about the matter. They don’t have to but it may be possible to resolve the dispute before having to attend a meeting of the Board of Equalization (BOE). The Assessor’s Office phone number is 466-2831.
If a taxpayer wants to appear before the BOE, the Clerk’s office will send the taxpayer an Appeal Form. The taxpayer must fill out the form and return it to the County Clerk’s Office on or before July 14, 2025, so that an appointment can be scheduled for them with the Board of Equalization. (RSMo 137.275)
The BOE will meet, according to Statute, on the third Monday in July, July21st, 2024. (RSMo 138.010)
MISCELLANOUS INFORMATON
The Board consists of the three County Commissioners, the Surveyor and two appointed citizens. The County Assessor is a non voting member of the Board. The County Clerk will be present to act as Secretary to the Board.
When the taxpayer meets with the Board of Equalization, they must provide proof that the value assigned to their property is incorrect. To support their claim they may provide sales contracts, appraisals, income & expense information, documented sales of similar properties in their neighborhood, pictures, blueprints or evidence of significant property data errors regarding their property.
Once a decision is made by the BOE, the taxpayer will be given written notice of the decision of the Board along with information concerning how to appeal the Board’s decision if they so desire.
Unofficial results posted in Stotts City runoff election
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Lawrence County Clerk Tammy Riebe has announced unofficial results of the Stotts City runoff election for Stotts City Alderman and Collector.​ Julia Perriman garnered 32 votes over Jessica Gatewood's 28 votes for city collector. Timothy Blankenship and Tracy Knight tied for alderman with 29 votes each.
Health dept to open in new quarters March 4
(Feb. 20, 2025) Lawrence County Health Dept. will be closed Friday, Feb. 28, and Monday, March 3, to move. It will open in its new quarters Tuesday, March 4. Grand opening at the new facility will be held 10 a.m. to noon Monday, March 10.
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The facility was constructed south of I-44 in Mt. Vernon at 1549 Missouri Drive, just south of the Lawrence County Law Enforcement Center and 911. You can reach it via the south outer road.
Senior Tax Freeze applications will be available in 2025
(Sept. 30, 2024) Lawrence County will be doing the Senior Tax Freeze. However, the application process will not take place until later in 2025.
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County commissioners have been working with their attorney to develop the ordinance, procedures and applications that will be used to implement the tax freeze in Lawrence County.
County officeholders sworn in Tuesday, Dec. 31
Newly elected and re-elected county officeholders were sworn in Tuesday, Dec. 31, in the second floor courtroom of the Historic Lawrence County Courthouse.
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They include incoming Western Commissioner Chris Prater and Eastern Commissioner Brad Smith. Re-elected officeholders who were sworn in are Sheriff Brad DeLay, Assessor Doug Bowerman, Coroner Scott Lakin and Surveyor Aaron Austin. Teresa Pace, who has been serving as public administrator by appointment, was elected to that position in November. She also was sworn in.
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