PLATTSBURGH — Help is now available through a new program for those who suffered damage from last July’s flooding due to constant heavy rains.
“This is terrific news for homeowners and renters specifically and good news all the way around,” Clinton County Legislature Chairman Mark Henry (R-Area 3, Chazy) said.
FEDERAL HELP
The U.S. Small Business Administration will offer federal assistance to New Yorkers in Clinton County who were impacted by heavy rains and flooding in July.
Residents and businesses in Clinton County are now eligible to apply for low-interest loans to aid in their recovery from this event through a new SBA program that offers additional financial assistance to those in rural areas impacted by disasters.
For the first time, New York obtained this declaration under the federal Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities program, which was signed into law this past June.
“This gives the ability for the folks that suffered flooding damage during that time to get some of the Small Business Administration loans for their homes, for personal property… so it’s a terrific thing and we are very grateful for that for our folks,” Henry said.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the program should help those who suffered damage when the county experienced historic levels of rainfall and flooding in early July.
“These low-interest loans will help those effected by flooding recover and get back on their feet,” Hochul said.
“My administration is committed to ensuring New Yorkers who suffer at the hands of harsh weather can get as much federal assistance as possible.”
The federal Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act authorizes the SBA to simplify the process for a governor to request an SBA disaster declaration in rural counties.
Under this new program, an SBA declaration can be made with only one damaged property in a rural area when the county has received a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance, but not Individual Assistance.
The U.S. Small Business Administration determined Clinton County was eligible for the new program and will make low interest loans available to businesses and impacted individuals.
JULY STORMS
On July 9 and 10, parts of the North Country experienced several inches of rain in a short period, causing devastating flooding, closing roadways, and damaging infrastructure.
After the storm, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and Clinton County conducted a thorough assessment of storm damages.
On July 22, Hochul announced the approval of a Major Disaster Declaration for Clinton, Dutchess, Essex, Hamilton, Ontario, Orange, Putnam, and Rockland counties, which secured federal financial assistance to provide funding to local governments, tribes and eligible non-profits for debris removal, protective measures, and repairs to buildings and infrastructure.
The following groups in Clinton County may now be eligible for SBA disaster loans:
Homeowners: up to $200,000 to repair their primary residence.
Homeowners and renters: up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
Business owners: up to $2,000,000 for the replacement of real property, inventories, machinery, equipment, and other physical losses.
Businesses and non-profits: Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2,000,000 to provide necessary working capital until normal operations resume after a disaster.
EXPENSIVE REPAIRS
State Assemblyman D. Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) said he was also pleased that people in the county can participate in the SBA program.
“I saw firsthand how damaging these storms were and have worked closely with local and state leaders to push for the resources our region needs to recover,” Jones said.
“This is welcomed news and I will continue to advocate for more resources for our region.”
Henry said several people in the county, especially in the northern portion, experienced severe flood damage, and he was grateful for the SBA program and the governor’s assistance.
“I saw the damage, and I talked to people that were concerned about the damage that they had, and how it might be covered,” Henry said.
“Things are expensive, and it’s their home, and you know what it’s like when you’ve got damage to your home and you’re trying to figure out how to fix it, and then maybe there’s some insurance issues or whatever. It affected folks all across the county, and I think it (SBA program) would take a lot of pressure off somebody that’s concerned about that and maybe having problems getting the money together to fix things.”