In Seymour: Sen. Kelly Applauds State $$ to Help Small Employers Rebuild and Recover

SEYMOUR – Sen. Kevin Kelly today applauded the announcement of $5 million in state funding to launch a micro-grant program that will help small businesses in the western portion of Connecticut rebuild and recover from the record rainfall and flooding the state received last week.

The establishment of the program was announced during state and local officials’ visit to small employers in Seymour that were forced to close due to flood damage.

“This is an emergency, and local employers need help immediately,” Sen. Kelly said. “We are united in getting small employers all the support they need, whether it’s here in Seymour, in Monroe, or in any of the other impacted communities.”

Under the program, grants of up to $25,000 will be available for employers and nonprofit organizations that have fewer than 100 employees and experienced damage from the floods.

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

The program will be administered by the WBDC, a nonprofit organization. On September 3, 2024, the WBDC will launch an application process for businesses to seek grants. Applicants will be required to provide detailed descriptions of how their businesses were impacted and include photos, receipts, invoices, and estimates where applicable.

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 awarded a major disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The state is working with towns, businesses, and homeowners to conduct detailed damage assessments and calculate whether the cost thresholds have been met that would enable the state to receive such a declaration, which could result in the release of federal funding to support the rebuilding and repairing of damage to eligible public and uninsured private property.

The process of conducting these assessments and then applying for this type of declaration typically takes several weeks to complete and is already underway.

Any homeowners and business owners who experienced damage to their property are strongly urged to participate in this documentation effort by either filling out an online survey hosted by the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (click here for survey) or by contacting their town’s local emergency management office to have their damages recorded.

Photo above:
Sen. Kevin Kelly (at left) listens to area residents and Gov. Ned Lamont in Seymour on Aug. 26.