Addabbo Introduces Legislation to Help Small Businesses Battered by Sandy to Move Forward WITH Repairs to Their Storefronts

Queens, NY, March 12, 2013 -- NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens), a member of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force on Hurricane Sandy, has introduced new legislation (S.4053) that will provide $10,000 grants to small business owners whose storefronts were badly damaged by the catastrophic late October superstorm, Sandy.

“As our residents and our local economy work to rebuild and move forward from the horrific consequences of Sandy, this grant program will help to restore a sense of normalcy and send a message that we are ‘open for business’ in the aftermath of the storm,” said Addabbo.  “As the Senate representative of communities that were particularly hard-hit by Sandy, I can attest that our business community was badly battered by the storm and needs help to revitalize and make repairs to their storefronts.” 

The Senator mentioned that the idea for the legislation came from a constituent, a scenario he feels of how government should work. Under Addabbo’s proposal, a Hurricane Sandy Storefront Repair Fund would be established to provide grants to small business owners, having 50 employees or fewer, whose buildings sustained damage of $10,000 or more as a result of rain, flooding or other storm-related issues from October 29 through November 3, 2012 – the period when Sandy struck New York.  Businesses would be able to apply for the grants up until July 1, 2014, and would need to supply proof that they meet the definition of small businesses, that they were in operation prior to the storm, and that the damages they sustained were a direct result of Sandy.  The funds could be used to repair, rehabilitate or replace storefronts of affected buildings.

“Lending a helping hand to small businesses, which make up the backbone of both our local and state economies, is vitally important every day of the year, but is especially crucial right now as our local businessmen and businesswomen try to recover from Sandy, get their doors open and  go back to work,” said Addabbo.  “Making these necessary investments in our local businesses and helping them refurbish their devastated storefronts will be repaid over and over again, as foot traffic improves in storm-damaged communities, our shopping areas get back to normal and our economy bounces back.  I hope that my legislative colleagues will join with me in working to create this needed grant program.” 

Addabbo mentioned that along with the proposed storefront legislation, funding in the state budget is being suggested to address the same issue.

Senator Addabbo’s legislation is now under consideration by the Senate Committee on Finance.

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Judy Close, Press Secretary
NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.
15th Senate District - Satellite Office
66-85  73rd Place
Middle Village, NY   11379
Ph:  718-497-1630