The way they’re giving money away, I wonder if I could get a loan by claiming the mailbox store I owned in Reno in 2001 was harmed because my customers couldn’t send mail to zip codes around the Twin Towers because they no longer existed (true story). No, it would never work. Unlike the businesses in the story, I would actually be requesting the money, I would be aware of the loan being made and my business existed during 9/11.

From the Seattle Times
The government’s $5 billion effort to help small businesses recover from the Sept. 11 attacks was so loosely managed that it gave low-interest loans to companies that didn’t need terrorism relief — or even know they were getting it.

And while some at New York’s Ground Zero couldn’t get assistance they desperately sought, companies far removed from the devastation — a South Dakota country radio station, hair salons in Monroe, a Virgin Islands perfume shop, a Mukilteo pet-grooming shop and more than 100 Dunkin’ Donuts and Subway sandwich shops — had no problem winning the government-guaranteed loans.

SBA officials acknowledged that the second program, the Supplementary Terrorism Activity Relief (STAR), left banks on an honor system to determine worthy loan recipients.

“They had personnel at our conference stand up and say if you cannot find a reason to move the loan over to the STAR program, contact us and we’ll help you find a reason to move it over,” recalled Tony Wilkinson, president of the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders.

If someone is feeling really paranoid, perhaps they could ask the SBA and Homeland Security if there were any loans given to those who are on watch lists, etc. That would be the ultimate slap in the face. Terrorists cause a disaster, then collect loans and other moneys afterwards because the agencies are too sloppy to notice.