Flood Recovery Grant Program Deadline March 16

Governor Cuomo Encourages Small Businesses, Farms, Multiple Dwellings and Not-For-Profits to Apply 

Governor Andrew Cuomo is encouraging eligible entities that sustained flood-related damage as a result of Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee to apply for assistance through the Business Flood Recovery Grant Program. 

The program was launched in January, and the funding application deadline is Friday, March 16. 

"These funds will go directly to small businesses and communities that are still recovering from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee," Governor Cuomo said."

I encourage farm and small business owners to submit their applications this week so they can receive the resources they need to rebuild."

The State Legislature passed Governor Cuomo's Flood Recovery Grant Program to ensure continued recovery efforts in regions of the state hit hardest by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in December 2011. 

The new law includes support for communities recovering from the storms through the Business Flood Recovery Grant Program, as well as the Flood Mitigation Grant Program, which is administered jointly by Empire State Development (ESD) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). 

"This grant program is targeted to help our small businesses, farms, not-for-profits and owners of multiple dwellings get the critical assistance they need to clean-up and recover," stated Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams. 

"Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, we are pulling out all the stops to help those affected by the floods start over. We urge those eligible to contact ESD for additional information and to apply for these available resources designated to help our communities get back to business." 

ESD is administering the $21 million Business Flood Recovery Grant Program, which will provide grants of up to $20,000 for eligible small businesses, farms, multiple dwellings and not-for-profits that sustained direct, physical flood-related damage in Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee. 

Funding is geared to help offset the costs of storm-related repairs and restoration of structures not covered by other federal, state or local recovery programs. Preference will be given to applicants that demonstrate the greatest need. 

Applicants can access the application form, instructions and guidelines, as well as additional information about the program through the following link: www.esd.ny.gov/BusinessPrograms/FloodRecovery.html. 

Information can also be obtained by calling 518-292-5340 or by sending email to floodrecovery@esd.ny.gov. 

Through the Flood Mitigation Grant Program, $9 million is available to counties to be used to support flood mitigation or flood control projects in waterways impacted by the storms. 

The deadline to submit applications to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation is April 11. More information on that program can be found on DEC's website at www.dec.ny.gov/lands/79243.html