The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) has committed to providing links and pathways to resources for anyone in the area who experienced flooding or general storm damage in the July of 2023 storms. Below is a list of resources provided locally, by the state, and federally. If you have any questions please reach out to Tyler Richardson by email at tyler@rutlandeconomy.com.
BEGAP Application is Live
The Department of Economic Development (DED) officially opened the application for the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP). The $20M BEGAP grant program is to help Vermont businesses, nonprofits, and landlords that suffered physical damage in the flood that began July 7, 2023. The money is to be used to help businesses reopen their doors, bring employees back, and help displaces Vermonters return to their rental housing.
The program website includes a recorded webinar (the includes screenshots of a sample application) and program FAQs. There are also additional resources for non-English speakers and technical assistance advisors for those needing help in applying.
Storm Response Update
The State Emergency Operations Center remains open and active 24/7 in response to the storm and flooding here in Vermont. Emergency management officials are continuing to work with towns to support the reopening of infrastructure and other critical needs.
FEMA officially added two additional counties to the federal Individual Assistance Disaster Declaration signed by President Joseph Biden last week. The declaration now allows residents of Orange and Caledonia to apply for federal assistance for personal losses during this month’s storm and floods. Chittenden, Lamoille, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor counties had previously been approved. For the latest information on locations and hours of the centers visit the Vermont Emergency Management website.
Storm Recovery Updates
FEMA currently has over 300 people on the ground in Vermont. These agents, along with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), are doing home and business visits to support people affected by the storm. In addition, FEMA agents continue to assess damage to determine if additional counties will be added to the disaster declaration. To date, nearly 1,700 people have registered for individual assistance from FEMA to help repair their homes.
Two Disaster Recovery Centers have opened in Rutland and Washington counties to help residents affected by the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides kickstart their recovery. The joint state-FEMA centers are temporary facilities that will help survivors apply for FEMA assistance, upload documents needed for their application, and answer questions in person.
The Rutland County center is located at:
ASA Bloomer Building
88 Merchants Row
Rutland, VT 05701
The Washington County center is located at:
Waterbury Armory
294 Armory Drive
Waterbury, VT 05676
Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.
The SBA also continues to grow its presence in Vermont and plans to open additional Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) in the days ahead to provide business counseling on accessing disaster loans. Currently, there are two BRCs open:
Washington County
Vermont Chamber of Commerce
751 Granger Road in Berlin
Monday – Sunday – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Windsor County
Engel & Völkers Okemo Building
126 Main Street in Ludlow
Monday – Sunday – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Visit disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ or call 1-800-659-2955 to learn more about these loans.
Apply for SBA Low-Interest Loans Before Insurance Settlement
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is encouraging businesses and residents affected by the severe storms and flooding in Vermont that began on July 7 to submit their completed applications, even if they have not settled with their insurance company.
Applicants may apply here, using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website.
Tax Deadlines Extended
Governor Phil Scott announced tax filing deadlines for Vermonters impacted by the flood are being extended. Taxpayers unable to meet deadlines between July 7 and November 15, now have until November 15, 2023, to file and pay. Full details on eligibility and tax types can be found in the Governor’s press release.
Department of Labor Updates
The Department of Labor (DOL) continues to work to stand up a Disaster Unemployment Assistance program. DOL has also waived the work-search requirement for those affected by the flood. For the latest information from DOL visit the Emergency Updates page on their website.
Main Street Flood Recovery Fund Update
The grant application opened this week for the Main Street Flood Recovery Grant program which is a private fundraising effort to provide grants to small businesses in impacted communities. For more information and to apply, visit the Main Street Flood Recovery website.
Short-Term Rental Survey
Do you own a short-term rental and are willing to help house Vermonters who can’t return to their home because of the flood? The Vermont Short-Term Rental Alliance is collecting information from homeowners who may be interested through a form on their website.
Flood-Related Legal Aid
If you have legal questions please reach out to the Vermont Law and Graduate School. The Entrepreneurial Legal Lab (VLSell) at Vermont Law and Graduate School is ready to help Vermont’s businesses recover. If your business was impacted by the July 10 floods, please let them know how they can help you with your legal needs.
ACCD Flood Resource Center
The ACCD resource page will be the central landing place for all information about flooding resources for businesses coming from the agency as we move further into recovery.
Volunteer Sign-up & Group Registration
If you are looking to volunteer to support the clean-up and recovery, the state has set up a volunteer portal that allows you to register and be deployed to areas most in need. If you are an organization with a group of volunteers looking to serve please email volunteer@vermont.gov to register. If you are in need of volunteers in your area please email volunteer@vermont.gov to ask for volunteers.
USDA Rural Development Program
USDA Rural Development (RD) in Vermont announced assistance for rural residents to recover and rebuild from the devastating floods occurring on Monday, July 10th of
this year. Changes to the USDA Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants program, known as the ‘504’ program, will be extended to homeowners impacted by the floods who meet very-low income eligibility guidelines, including those who are not current USDA customers.
Disaster Relief Changes to the USDA 504 Housing Repair Program
• Higher grant maximum – Increased from $10,000 to $40,675
• No age restriction – Eligible homeowners of any age can apply for disaster-related grant funding
In addition to the disaster-related changes to the 504 program for anyone eligible in Chittenden, Lamoille, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor counties, current borrowers for USDA RD’s Single Family Housing Direct Loan program will have the option for various extensions, payment moratoriums and waived late fees.
For Farmers
If your farm has sustained damage, report your losses to the Farm Service Agency. You can email agr.floodresponse@vermont.gov or call 802-828-5667.
There are also multiple funds that you can apply to now. Farmers can request up to $5,000 in grants from the Farmer Emergency Fund and can apply for up to $10,000 in emergency loans from the Vermont Farm Fund.
The USA 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. The deadline to apply for this disaster assistance funding is September 1st. Please visit your local NRCS service center to apply. Find your local NRCS Service Center here.
Vermont Private Non-Profits
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced certain Private Non-Profit organizations in Vermont that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature may be eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans. Eligible PNP organizations in the following Vermont counties may apply: Bennington, Orange, and Washington. Examples of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools, and colleges.
PNP organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. The interest rate is 2.375 percent, with terms of up to 30 years.
PNP organizations are urged to contact their county’s emergency manager to provide information about their organization. The information will be submitted to FEMA to determine eligibility for a Public Assistance grant or whether the PNP should be referred to SBA for disaster loan assistance. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at www.DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration # 18026.
Statewide Survey for Affected Businesses, Organizations, and Individuals
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM) is requesting information from farms, agricultural businesses, and service and non-profit organizations to understand the overall impact of this natural disaster. The purpose of this survey is to, as accurately as possible, capture the type and scale of the damage agricultural producers suffered throughout the state. Survey data will be used to inform response efforts, effectively, allocate resources, and advocate for future relief and recovery programs.
Vermont Association of Realtors Flood Relief Program
The Vermont Association of Realtors Relief Fund provides up to $500 in immediate assistance, and the Realtor Relief Foundation provides financial support within 4 to 5 weeks for homeownership-related challenges, including support for renters.
