Lakewood Seeks to Determine Damages to Local Business From Recent Snow Storm

Economic development officials at the City of Lakewood are in the process of determining the extent of damages to local businesses that resulted from the recent snow and ice storm that hit the south Puget Sound region the week of January 16, according to a city press release.

Local businesses like Allied Ice—located at 9625 32nd Ave. SW in Lakewood— experienced first-hand the effects of the regional winter snow storm.

The media relations department for has not yet returned Patch's call for an estimate on damage caused during the storm.

But enough damage has forced the packaged ice business to work out of freezer trucks and a neighboring building, accoding to Chris Davis, manager for Allied Ice.

"We don’t have a building but we’re still continuing to operate," Davis said.

If the amount of damages reaches a certain dollar threshold, assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration may be available to help businesses recover from the damages, the city press release stated.

The city is currently working to determine how many and to what extent businesses in Lakewood incurred economic injury as a result of the severe weather.

Economic injury is defined as either a loss of revenues due to an interruption in business activity or physical damage to the business’s property.

In order to make the determination, city officials are asking businesses that incurred damages to complete a worksheet that estimates adverse economic impact and property damage.

Forms are available under 'News Updates' on the city’s website at www.cityoflakewood.us, or print out the sheet attached to Patch's story.

You can e-mail completed worksheets to mperrussel@cityoflakewood.us or mail to City of Lakewood, ATTN: Melody, 6000 Main Street SW, Lakewood, WA 98499.

These are not applications for funding, but instead are meant to gather information which the city will submit to the SBA.Business owners with questions can call Melody or Becky at 253.589.2489.