Businesses are not eligible for grant assistance from FEMA, but the Federal Government and the Vermont Economic Development Authority does have disaster loan programs in place to assist them. Anyone seeking assistance through the Small Business Administration (SBA) must be registered with FEMA.
Businesses should call the Agency of Commerce and Community Development at (ACCD) at 828-3211 to report damage which will be collated for VEM and FEMA. ACCD will also make referrals for financing and technical assistance. The information needed when businesses make the call is: name of business, location (complete address), description of damage, point of contact, date damage occurred. There are additional questions for historic properties. Additional resources for businesses can be found on ACCD's website (see below).
The deadline for applying to FEMA/SBA is OCTOBER 31, 2011.
Individual Assistance for Businesses
1. Call FEMA at (800) 621-3362 to register
2. Call Vermont ACCD at (802) 828-3211
Whether applying online OR over the phone, you should have a pen and paper and the following information ready:
Types of assistance available:
Once a business registers with FEMA, you will fill out the SBA application form even if they're not interested in a loan. Individuals who do not qualify for SBA loans may be referred to other disaster assistance programs, but they must complete the SBA loan application before they can be considered for other programmatic assistance.
Loans amounts are based on the actual cost of repairing or rebuilding a flood-damaged home and personal property, minus any insurance reimbursements for the same loss. Current loan limits are as follows:
If you don't qualify for SBA, you get sent back to FEMA.
For more information, use the Small Business Administration link below.
Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program
SBA Disaster Loan Fact Sheet
Agency of Commerce and Community Development business resources
VEDA Loan Program Information
Hurricane Irene Flood Loan Assistance Program
Irene Federal Assistance to Vermont Businesses
Hiring Contractors - Events such as Tropical Storm Irene can bring out individuals who take advantage of others during a time of crisis. Communities and residents are advised to be cautious when hiring contractors. The following News Brief offers suggestions on how communities and residents can protect themselves from fraudulent contractors.