Resources, Grants & Loans for Businesses Recovering From Hurricane Sandy; SBA Deadline Extended till March 29th

Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery Services

The new registration deadline for SBA disaster loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration in New York is March 29, 2013: http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants/small-business-loans/disaster-loans

New York City, including the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYEDC) is coordinating a set of services to help New York businesses in recovering from the effects of Hurricane Sandy: http://www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/nycbiz/html/home/Hurricane%20Sandy%20Recovery%20Services.shtml

NYC Department of Small Business Services Announces Small Business Assistance Grant Program for Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Sandy: http://www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/nycbiz/downloads/pdf/summary/financing/SmallBusinessGrantFAQ.pdf
http://www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/nycbiz/html/summary/grant_program_application.shtml

The NYC Industrial Development Agency will waive up to $100,000 in sales taxes on reconstruction materials and equipment. To learn more about the Hurricane Emergency Sales Tax Exemption Program, please visit http://www.nycedc.com/program/hurricane-emergency-sales-tax-exemption-program-hestep  

NYC Restoration Business Acceleration Team (RBAT): http://www.nycedc.com/NYCRestorationBusinessAccelerationTeam

Hurricane Sandy: Fee Relief for Business Recovery

To help New York City businesses impacted by Hurricane Sandy, Mayor Bloomberg signed an executive order directing City agencies to waive various fees required for rebuilding, recovery and operation of these businesses until further notice.

Visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/nbat/html/rbat/fee_relief.shtml 

The New York State Department of Financial Services can help individuals and businesses with insurance issues or to file complaints via the NYS Disaster Relief site (www.nyinsure.ny.gov) or by calling the Disaster Relief Hotline at 1-800-339-1759 Mon to Fri, 8am to 8pm; Sat and Sun, 10am to 5pm.

NYBDC Local Development Corporation Disaster Loan Program: http://www.nybdc.com/ http://www.nybdc.com/documents/LDCDisasterLoanApplicationupdated8-31-11.pdf

NYBDC Local Development Corporation Another Look Loan Program: http://www.nybdc.com/ http://www.nybdc.com/documents/AnotherLook.pdf

The US Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) have come together to create a business-nonprofit portal for Hurricane Sandy recovery.  As one of the key organizations engaged in Sandy recovery, they invite you to participate in posting your organization’s needs in the portal.  

The portal is designed for nonprofits to display their ongoing recovery needs so that businesses, who are interested in helping, can better understand where opportunities are available from a donation and volunteer perspective.  Businesses typically help in three ways (cash donations, in-kind donations, and volunteering).

http://nvoad.org/wpsandy/

National Grid applications for Tier 3 business restoration assistance available. For more info visit www.nationalgrid.com or call 1-855-469-9359.

ConEd Free Energy Surveys:

ConEd will make custom recommendations for improving energy efficiency that fits your business and budget. You can call ConEd at 888-945-5326 or visit www.coned.com/energyefficiency/businessdirect.asp.

Accion East and Online is offering loans of $1,000 to $25,000 to businesses in the 5 boroughs affected by Hurricane Sandy. No payments and 0% interest for the first three months, and then 4.99% for up to 60 months after that. All applicants awarded loans will also receive a grant equal to 15% of the value of the loan. To learn more, visit www.accionusa.org/sandy or call (866) 245.0783.

BOC Capital provides two categories of loans. First are smaller loans ranging from $500 to $50,000 and intended for working capital, repairs, and machinery & equipment. Second are larger, order-based loans of up to $150,000 for mobilization of government contracts.  An interest-free grace period is available for both types. To learn more, call 718-624-9115 (Brooklyn/Manhattan), 718-205-3773 (Queens/Bronx), and 718-816-4775 (Staten Island).

Renaissance Economic Development Corp. is offering loans of up to $30,000 at fixed rates of 3 or 4% for up to 36 months. To learn more, call 212-964-6022 (Manhattan), 718-961-0888 (Queens), or 718-686-8223 (Brooklyn).

Legal Services

Several services are offering free legal assistance to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Types of assistance typically include help with insurance claims, preparing powers of attorney, help with guardianships, and preparing new wills and other lost legal documents.

www.abanet.org/disaster/  www.disasterlegalaid.org/ www.lsc.gov/