Grants Available For Mohawk Valley Flood Victims

HERKIMER, 07/25/13 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today encouraged residents, business owners and farmers hit hard by recent storms to take advantage of available grants. 

“The state has stepped up to fill the void where the federal government has fallen short, and I want to make sure that those in need are fully aware of the resources available,” said Senator Seward.  “National Grid is also repeating a successful grant program that has helped in past disasters, offering direct aid to farmers and businesses.”

Senator Seward met recently with officials at the flood assistance recovery center in Herkimer and also spoke with residents filling out application forms for the Mohawk Valley and 2013 Upstate Flood Recovery Program.  Senator Seward also joined National Grid in announcing a $2 million grant program to help agricultural, business, and commercial electric and gas customers with equipment repair and replacement.

“People are making decisions about their future and need immediate assurance that help is available.   These various grant programs will get cash into the hands of those in need quickly and help them rebuild their lives,” Seward added.

The NYS Flood Recovery Program is intended to provide immediate recovery assistance to victims of these floods and to address gaps in coverage for impacted homeowners, business owners and farmers in Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara and Oneida Counties. For additional information and application materials, please visit www.nyshcr.org/Programs/NYS-Flood.  The deadline to apply is September 3, 2013.

Affected homeowners, businesses, and farms can also call the NYS Flood Helpline at 1-888-769-7243 for information on how to receive assistance under the NYS Flood recovery program. The NYS Flood Helpline is available from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

The National Grid emergency economic development program will provide grants of up to $50,000 for eligible non-residential customers who sustained physical damage to their premises and lost electric and/or natural gas service due to the storms and flooding.  For additional information and application materials, please visit www.ngrid.com/floodrelief.  The deadline to apply is December 31, 2013

-30-