More than 100 local businesses and nonprofits are among the recipients of state grants to assist with flood recovery, according to a media release from the governor's office.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that 584 entities would receive a total of $7.9 million in Business Flood Recovery Grant Program funding to recovery from damage suffered during Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee last year.
Empire State Development, the agency administering the Business Flood Recovery Grant Program, will provide grants of up to $20,000 to the individual businesses, farms, multiple dwellings and nonprofits that qualified for the program. A spokesman for the governor's office said that specific grant amounts have not yet been determined, because the grants are still subject to public hearings and approval by the Public Authorities Control Board, which is expected to be completed by early August.
"Helping our communities recover from the devastating floods has remained a top priority, and today, we have matched that commitment with critical funding to support their resurgence," Cuomo said. "This grant program will help those who were hit hardest by the floods get the resources they need to rebuild."
A complete list of the recipients is available online at http://tinyurl.com/6ovqoms.*
The Business Flood Recovery Grant funding is geared to help offset the costs of storm-related repairs and restoration of structures not covered by insurance or other federal, state or local recovery programs. ESD conducted a comprehensive review of applications before determining eligibility and the awards. Nearly 1,000 applications were received. According to the release, ESD continues to work with businesses to ensure the remaining applications are complete and all possible flood assistance is provided.
Local elected officials praised the program, with Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, saying that the grants "will help pay off a portion of the recovery costs and ensure these community mainstays will remain part of our local fabric."
Assemblyman William Magee, D-Nelson, said: "These storms have wreaked havoc on rural, farming communities like ours. This critical funding will go a long way toward creating jobs and helping our area get back on its feet."
The state Legislature passed Cuomo's Flood Recovery Grant Program in December. The program was officially launched in January.
*Editor's note: This story was changed at 1:10 p.m. July 20 to correct the link to the full list of grant recipients.
