Va. may have better luck at getting storm-related loans from SBA

After striking out with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, storm-ravaged Virginia homeowners could have a much better shot garnering low-interest loans for home repairs from the U.S. Small Business Administration, officials say.

The administration has less stringent criteria for granting the emergency home-repair loans than does FEMA, which recently turned down two requests by Gov. Timothy Kaine to open up loans and grants to counties beleaguered by storms and flooding in late June.