Ritchie: Senate OK's Bill to Provide Relief to Residents, Businesses and Municipalities Struggling with Flooding

State Senator Patty Ritchie is announcing a measure she cosponsors that would create the “Great Lakes Flood Recovery Grant Program,” and make available grants to help those impacted by recent flooding to rebound has passed the Senate. 

The measure (S.6423) would make $55 million in grants available to property owners, businesses, not-for-profit corporations, municipalities, and counties affected by high water levels along Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Champlain, and the St. Lawrence River.

“As homeowners, business owners and municipalities continue to deal with rising waters, it is becoming increasingly important to provide people with the resources they need to rebuild and bounce back,” said Senator Patty Ritchie.   

“This is especially important for seasonal business owners, who rely on traffic during the summer months, help to boost our local economy and support jobs.  I am hopeful that the Assembly will follow suit and act on this important measure as soon as possible.”

This bill establishes a new grant program to promote economic recovery by allowing state financial resources to flow to small businesses, owners of multiple dwellings, owners of residences, not-for-profit corporations, and municipalities. Modeled after a  program implemented after the statewide flooding from storms Irene and Lee in 2011, it will help communities rebuild after this latest natural disaster.

The grant program would provide up to $20 million administered through the state’s Empire State Development Corporation to help with physical flood-related damage. Grant recipients could receive up to $15,500 for owners of residences, $30,000 for owners of multiple dwellings, $50,000 for small businesses and farms, and $100,000 for not-for-profit corporations for damage not covered under insurance or an existing local, state, or federal program.

Municipalities and special districts would be eligible for a total of $20 million in grants - up to $1 million each - for infrastructure spending caused by the flooding and high water levels and not already covered under existing funding programs. This could include roads, bridges and other transportation systems, drinking water supply systems, sanitary and/or storm sewer systems, levy and/or flood protection systems, and other municipal equipment. For other municipal costs that may not be eligible for that funding, an additional $10 million in grants would be made available by the state.

Counties would be eligible for a total of $5 million in new grants for flood mitigation or flood control projects costing at least $250,000, up to $500,000, and related to the recent high water levels.