Mark DonkaBURLINGTON, Vt. -
The Republican running for Vermont's lone congressional seat says his opponent has the wrong solution for helping small businesses recover from disaster.
Mark Donka agrees with Democrat Peter Welch that Vermont companies hit by Tropical Storm Irene were not well-served by the Small Business Administration loan program. But Donka says Welch's plan for the SBA to streamline its loan program for companies with fewer than 50 employees is "futile" and would require growing the agency only for the rare occurrence of disaster relief. Instead, Donka proposes that government-backed disaster loans be offered through local banks. He says business owners would be able to work with lenders who know them and get assistance with the application process.
