Downtrodden local businesses, whose already sagging sales may have taken a further whipping in the December storms, can ask for a little help.

City officials want Auburn-area small business owners to report storm-related economic and property damage so the state can ask for and ultimately receive some federal assistance.

“Right now, all we are doing is gathering information,” said Sarah K. Miller, emergency preparedness manager for the City of Auburn. “We know there is some significant economic impact here.”

A few businesses have filed a report, Miller said, and she expects several more owners to join the campaign.

Word is getting around. The city distributed information about the economic injury relief program to businesses inside the SuperMall on Wednesday.

And the early reports offer some alarming information.

“What’s interesting, from a numbers’ perspective, is that business has seen between a 40- and 50-percent drop in revenue from last year at this time,” Miller said.

Small businesses or private, non-profit organizations that have suffered substantial economic hardship, regardless of physical damage, may be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

According to Nancy Wyatt, Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce president, the only help available to businesses suffering economic losses is through business continuity insurance or SBA economic injury disaster loans. Since most small businesses do not carry the specific insurance, the SBA becomes an option.

Cities are gathering reports to send to county officials, who in turn will submit them to the state.

Gov. Christine Gregoire needs to request an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program that could make SBA disaster loans available to many small businesses in the state affected by the recent snowstorms.

“The more reports we gather initially, the better the chance the state can get a federal declaration out of this,” Miller pointed out.

Business owners can ask for an economic injury worksheet by calling the emergency preparedness office at 253-876-1909 or contacting Miller by e-mail at skmiller@auburnwa.gov.

Local businesses must file worksheets with the city by Jan. 10.