Connecticut offers $5 million in grants to help small businesses recover from floods

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced the state is launching a $5 million micro-grant program to help small businesses in the western part of the state rebuild and recover from the record rainfall and flooding the state received last week.

Under this program, state grants of up to $25,000 will be available to small businesses and nonprofits in Fairfield County, Litchfield County and New Haven County that have fewer than 100 employees and have experienced flood damage.

Grants can be used to cover various recovery expenses, including those associated with cleanup efforts, replenishing lost supplies, and replacing equipment.

“This type of unforeseen natural disaster can cripple small businesses that may not have the financial resources to quickly recover, rebuild and reopen,” said Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe. “This micro-grant program is an important first step on the road to recovery, providing critical funds to help our small businesses get their operations up and running as they pursue long-term support from the federal government or other sources. “

The application process is expected to be launched on September 3. Applicants will be asked to provide detailed descriptions of how their businesses have been affected and include photographs, receipts, invoices and estimates where applicable.

The tri-state region has been rocked by severe floods that claim two lives and leave a trail of destruction

This state-funded grant program is separate from any potential federal funding that businesses or homeowners may be eligible to receive if the state is granted a major disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or from the Small Business Administration. The Lamont administration said it is working with cities, businesses and homeowners on damage assessments to calculate whether cost thresholds have been met that would allow the state to receive federal funding for uninsured public and private property. The process of carrying out these assessments and then applying for this type of declaration usually takes several weeks.

Flood-stricken Connecticut is seeking emergency assistance from federal agencies

Last week, President Joe Biden authorized a federal emergency declaration for Fairfield County, Litchfield County and New Haven County because of the storm. This declaration allows the state to coordinate with FEMA on the deployment of certain federal resources, such as personnel and equipment, that augment the emergency actions the state and its municipalities take to protect life and property.

According to the state, up to nearly 16 inches of rain fell in 6-8 hours in some locations. Peak rainfall exceeded 3 inches of water per hour and 7 inches in three hours in a strip from Monroe to Oxford. There was also major flooding of the Housatonic, Little River, and Naugatuck rivers.

The flood claimed the lives of two women in Oxford. About 50 campers had to be rescued from the Kettletown State Park campground and more than 30 evacuations took place at Jackson Cove near Lake Zoar.

Lamont said the state has received “tremendous demands” from private citizens due to their homes being flooded, businesses destroyed and local bridges and roads washed out.

In Litchfield County, at least four towns have been declared local emergencies due to severe flooding and evacuations. A landslide in Danbury severed a gas main, forcing the evacuation of 10 units at a condominium project. Another senior housing complex was severely flooded and compromised, requiring the evacuation of 40-50 people and needing housing. In Oxford, local and state rescue teams helped evacuate residents along the Housatonic River.

Monroe sustained structural damage on Route 34, with damage to the bridge located between Route 111 and the Stevenson Dam. Route 34 has been so badly compromised that Lamont said state engineers can’t yet estimate when it will reopen. Routes 53 and 57 also have structural integrity issues on roads and four bridges.

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Commercial lines Flood Business Insurance Connecticut