DES MOINES - Disaster-impacted businesses that missed a deadline for seeking state recovery assistance could get a one-month reprieve to apply.

The state Economic Development Board voted 6-3 to file an emergency rule to extend the deadline to July 31, subject to the availability of money for businesses seeking a share of Values Fund money to help rebound from major tornado and flooding damage in 2008.

Board members questioned whether an extension should be granted for eight Cedar Rapids businesses to apply for state disaster aid totaling less than $3 million. But a majority decided the June 30 deadline was arbitrary and more time might be appropriate under the extraordinary circumstances.

Board members decided to wait until their regular July 16 meeting to decide how to allocate the state's $28.8 million Values Fund allotment for fiscal 2010 and how much, if any, should be directed toward additional disaster recovery assistance.