Workshops Scheduled To Help Homeowners Fight The Flood

For the past several months, I have heard from hundreds of property owners, small businesses and communities throughout our region who have been struggling to recover from this year’s crippling flooding.  I am pleased to report that help is finally here.

Legislation, which I was proud to cosponsor, that establishes the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence Seaway Flood Relief and Recovery Program was just signed into law and provides $45 million in funding for recovery efforts.  Small businesses, farms, not-for-profits, municipalities and homeowners–including seasonal homeowners–are eligible for these vital funds, which are on a first come, first served basis. 

In the coming weeks, I’ll be working to connect homeowners with these vital relief funds by cosponsoring workshops that will answer questions about the program and provide assistance with filling out applications for grants.  A schedule of events—which are being hosted in conjunction with Neighbors of Watertown—is as follows:

July 19th

Cohosted with Assemblyman Will Barclay

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Address: Sandy Pond Sportsmen’s Association, 3201 County Route 15, Pulaski, NY 13142

July 24th

Cohosted with Ogdensburg Mayor Wayne Ashley

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Address: Dobisky Visitors Center, 100 Riverside Ave, Ogdensburg, NY 13669

July 31st

Cohosted with Town of Alexandria Supervisor Dale Hunneyman

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Address: Town of Alexandria Offices (Community Room) 46372 County Route 1, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607

August 2nd  

Cohosted with Village of Sackets Mayor Vince Battista

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Address: 112 N. Broad Street (Sackets Harbor Municipal Building), Sackets Harbor, NY 13685 

Individuals attending workshops are encouraged to contact Neighbors of Watertown at (315) 782-8497 or visit www.neighborsofwatertown.com in advance to obtain an application for funding and view a list of required documents.  Assembling required documents and preparing as much of the application as possible in advance of the workshops will help to accelerate the application process.

Municipalities, small businesses, farms, homeowners associations, and not-for-profit organizations seeking funding to help cover the cost of damage caused by flooding can visit my website—www.ritchie.nysenate.gov— or call my office at (315) 782-3418 for additional information on applying for grants.

Making sure that homeowners have access to the resources they need to bounce back after this year’s crippling flooding is such an important part of the recovery process. That is why my colleagues and I worked to ensure that support was made available to help those impacted cover the cost of the damage Mother Nature caused.  I am encouraging anyone who is seeking help to attend an upcoming workshop and apply for funds as soon as possible.