ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO/AP) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied Gov. Mark Dayton’s request for federal aid to help northeastern Minnesota homeowners and small businesses repair properties damaged in last month’s floods.

“FEMA’s decision is certainly disappointing to the state and those effected in the Northland,” said Bruce Gordon, spokesman for the Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security Emergency Management.

The money from Federal Emergency Management Agency would’ve helped homeowners and small businesses with repairs from last month’s floods. In letter to Gov. Dayton from F.E.M.A it says the damage was “not of such severity and magnitude” to qualify for individual disaster aid.

But Gordon says their might be other options.

“The Small Business Administration or SBA maybe able to provide low interest loans to those affected,” said Gordon. “The Homeland Security Emergency Management division of public safety is actually preparing a letter to SBA that will go out today.”

State officials have 30 days to appeal the decision, but Gordon says that will likely not happen because FEMA did such a through review of the damage.

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