Courtney applauds initial USDA approval of Disaster Assistance to farmers in Tolland, Windham, Hartford Counties

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Courtney today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) approval of Disaster Assistance to Tolland, Windham and Hartford Counties. The counties were declared eligible because they are contiguous to Massachusetts counties that were declared Primary Natural Disaster Areas as a result of Tropical Storm Irene.

"This is very good news for farmers in Tolland, Windham and Hartford Counties, but there are other small businesses across eastern Connecticut anxiously waiting for the same critical assistance," said Congressman Courtney. "Having seen the damage for myself firsthand after the storm, I know how clear the need is as farmers try to regroup and save their small businesses. Finally with this ruling, some of the people who were affected by these terrible storms can begin to put the pieces back together. I will continue to work, however, to ensure that all of the Connecticut farmers who were devastated by Tropical Storm Irene get the assistance they need."

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