Originally Posted - July 17, 2006

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ALBANY---Businesses in seven additional counties are now eligible for flood recovery grants, bringing the total counties statewide to 20 counties.

The Governor's office says the expanded Small Business Flood Recovery Program is a key component of the $60 million in comprehensive aid packages announced by the Governor in recent weeks.

"The expansion of the Small Business Flood Recovery Grant Program will allow small businesses in Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Madison, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Tompkins Counties to access critical funds to recover from the devastating floods," Gov. George E. Pataki said. "This assistance will help ensure we do all that we can to preserve jobs for New Yorkers affected by this natural disaster as these businesses continue the repairing and rebuilding of their communities."

The grants, administered by Empire State Development (ESD), the state's economic development organization, are available under the Empire State Small Business Flood Recovery Grant Program. This program provides supplemental compensation to eligible small businesses for damages incurred as a result of flooding during the week of June 26. The funding will help small businesses cover costs related to cleanup, repair and replacement of real property, equipment and lost inventory.

A business may apply for a grant of up to $20,000 per location to cover uncompensated losses. This grant was established to supplement the $5000 grant available from the New York State Department of Labor through the New York State Individual and Family Grant Program.

Eligible businesses must be independently owned with a total full-time employment at all locations of fewer than 500. Agricultural businesses, housing, overnight lodging, residential facilities, casinos and other gambling establishments and businesses operating out of a residence are not eligible. Applicants must first apply for and receive funding from the New York State Individual and Family Grant Program administered by the New York State Department of Labor. Application deadline for both programs is Sept. 5.

The seven counties added to the flood recovery program are Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Madison, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Tompkins. The original 13 counties where businesses could apply for assistance are Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga and Ulster.

Information about ESD's flood recovery grants for businesses can be accessed at www.nylovesbiz.com or by calling 1-800-STATENY. Information about Individual and Family Grant Program is available at http://www.labor.state.ny.us or by calling 1-888-7-NYSAID.

Governor Pataki has made a total of $60 million in disaster relief funds available. The $35 million New York State Flood Relief Program centers around the $25 million State Individual and Family Grant Program, which provides individuals, families, and small businesses with grants of up to $5,000 for documented flood losses not covered by insurance or other government programs. This assistance program is administered by the State Department of Labor.

The State's $25 million Comprehensive Flood Relief Package supplements existing federal disaster relief programs and addresses potential gaps in insurance coverage and eligibility for residents, and small and large businesses that were impacted by flooding. ESD's Small Business Flood Recovery Grant Program, a $12 million program, is available as well as an additional $10 million in discretionary Economic Development Fund Grants for non-retail businesses suffering substantial damage and employing more than 100 employees. Three million dollars from the Governor's Office for Small Cities (GOSC) has been made available to residents impacted by the flooding for grants of up to $2,500 to assist with immediate housing needs caused by flooding. GOSC will work with local governments to disburse the funds to eligible recipients.

Individuals can register for federal disaster aid by calling FEMA's toll-free registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those who are hearing or speech impaired may call TTY at 1-800-462-7585. Phone lines are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Flood victims may also register for disaster assistance on-line at www.fema.gov.

A toll-free hotline was established by Governor Pataki to assist flood victims with the State Individual and Family Grant (IFG) applications. The phone number is 1-888-7-NYS-AID (1-888-769-7243). Operators are available from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Information on all of New York State's flood relief programs is available at www.ny.gov under Flood Relief.

In addition, eight Disaster Assistance Service Centers have been established in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Montgomery, Otsego, Sullivan and Tioga counties. 7-17-06

© 2006 North Country Gazette