Recovery & Assistance
The following information is regularly updated to keep the local business community abreast of helpful opportunities in response to recent challenges.For businesses seeking relief:
● Document any damage with photos● Write down your experience, including times of major events
● Capture all losses: loss of business income, inventory (due to spoilage or floodwater damage), equipment, property, etc.
● Report damage to 211 by phone or online
● Contact your insurance company to file a claim or understand what losses may be covered
● Identify questions you have that we or a local, state, or federal partner can help you answer
● Avoid making quick decisions or major purchases until we are aware of the potential funding that is available to help
DRIA program
The DRIA program is being proposed to help prevent grand list decline and create the opportunity to grow grand list values in disaster vulnerable Vermont communities, by offering municipalities a tool to purchase and/or make resiliency improvements to properties, and enhance public infrastructure in disaster impacted areas. >> More InformationEfficiency Vermont’s Flood Recovery Incentive for Businesses Newsletter
Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP)
Having a hard time finding a contractor for your Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) estimate? Use this new Contractor Estimate tool so you can get that BEGAP application in: https://outside.vermont.gov/agency/ACCD/ACCD_Web_Docs/Contractor%20Estimate%20revised.pdf.Efficiency Vermont
Efficiency Vermont flood recovery program to include more incentives for qualifying equipment. Businesses whose heating, cooling, refrigeration, or commercial kitchen equipment was damaged by recent floods can receive a flood recovery rebate of 100% of costs up to $4,000 per product for up to four products, in addition to standard offers. That’s a significant increase from the original program offer!For program details, use this link: https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/rebates/list/bizflood
For program application: https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/Media/Default/docs/rebates/forms/efficiency-vermont-business-flood-rebate-form.pdf
Vermont Law and Graduate School
offering free legal services to residential and commercial flood victims. More information available at https://airtable.com/shrvAlKOQCb1Wmc7OUSDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Vermont is setting aside $4 million in federal financial assistance to help Vermont's agricultural producers recover from recent flooding. This funding applies to resource concerns that threaten the ongoing agricultural operation or create an imminent threat to agricultural operations. The only eligible practices under this EQIP-Disaster Assistance signup are the following seven practices: Cover Crop; Critical Area Planting; Fence; Pasture and Hay Planting; Mulching; Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till; Feed Management. More information available at www.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/find-a-service-center?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdeliveryFLOOD 2023 Disaster Lending and State of Vermont Grants for Businesses 101
With the Presidential Disaster Declaration in place (Vermont Declaration 18016 & 18017) business owners have some options for financial assistance available to apply to now, and others that will most likely be available shortly. These disaster recovery updates on the Flood of 2023 will be created and shared by VtSBDC and the RDCs whenever there is new information and actionable steps that you can take. We will break the information into categories (Federal and State).Download the informational pdf.Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program
The application portal is now open. Businesses and nonprofits can visit the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program FAQ page to learn how the program works and what you will need to have in hand as you begin the online application process.Vermont 211
Vermonters Affected by the Storm and Flooding, both business and homeowners please report damage. More information available at vermont211.orgUSDA Rural Development Disaster Assistance
USDA Rural Development (RD) hosts a Disaster Assistance website to provide quick access to key resources. More information available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/rural-development-disaster-assistanceHelp After a Disaster
FEMA Individual Assistance Can Help You Recover More information available for download.Vermont.gov Flood Resources
The page has been developed to enable Vermonters to navigate important things to do and available resources in one initial stop, with links to more detailed information if you need it. It is being updated on an ongoing basis so please check back often for new or updated details. More information available at www.vermont.gov/floodVermont League of Cities & Towns
VLCT is committed to providing Vermont's municipalities with the most timely information, valuable resources, and important connections to help you be successful and resilient in the wake of this catastrophe. More information available at vlct.org/Vermont Community Foundation - Donation Site
The VT Flood Response and Recovery Fund 2023 was established to support Vermonters in responding to and recovering from the catastrophic rainfall across Vermont in 2023. More information available at vermontcf.orgVermont Main Street Flood Recovery Fund
The Vermont Main Street Flood Recovery Fund is raising money to provide grants to Vermont's small business owners impacted by July 10th's flooding. These Vermonters are vital to our communities and we will do all we can to support them through this crisis. The Fund will provide grants in the range of $2,500-$10,000 to cover costs such as equipment replacement, supplies and help with clean-up. This will help bridge need until further support is available. More information available at www.vtrecovery2023.comSBA - Disaster Loan Assistance
The SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters located in regions affected by declared disasters. SBA also provides eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations with working capital to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster. >> Fact Sheet
More information available at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/