August 25, 2023
A flooded corn crop.
Farm Feed-Finder Marketplace
A new tool to help Vermont farmers who lost feed crops in the July flooding. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM), and the Vermont Agency of Digital Services (ADS) have launched the Vermont Online Farm Feed-Finder Marketplace. Sellers across the northeast are encouraged to advertise their feed on the directory so Vermont farmers can easily find it. There is no fee to use the marketplace.
SBA Loans for Spring Damage
The SBA is making Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to businesses and nonprofits in Addison, Bennington and Rutland Counties affected by May’s freeze and frost. This opportunity is for farm-related and nonfarm-related entities. It is not for farmers. Interested parties have until April 17, 2024 to apply.
SBA Flooding Damage Deadlines
As a reminder, Vermont businesses and nonprofits have less than three weeks to apply for SBA Physical Property Damage Loans. Those applications are due September 12, 2023. Businesses applying for SBA Economic Injury Loans have until April 15, 2024. You can apply online, or visit an SBA Business Recovery Center. For locations and times, visit the ACCD Severe Storm Recovery Resource Center.
BEGAP and Economic Injury Survey
The Department of Economic Development (DED) and other government partners are busy evaluating Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) applications and distributing awards. As of Wednesday, $400,000 in grants were awarded. BEGAP is a $20 million dollar grant program to help businesses and nonprofits that suffered physical damages in the summer floods. If your organization was affected, please apply.
To date about 30% of applications have been deemed incomplete and sent back for revision, adding to the time it takes to get a grant. DED is urging everyone to have all the documentation they need on-hand as they start the process. That includes an estimate for repairs. If you can't find a contractor to give you one, please consult the Contractor Estimate Tool. This tool is for use on BEGAP applications only.
ACCD is also asking businesses to fill out an Economic Injury Survey. There is no state funding currently available for only economic injury, but this data will be used to advocate for future relief.
Webinar to Help Arts Organizations
Vermont arts organizations and cultural institutions impacted by the flood could be eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance program. This webinar will explain the application process, which expenses are eligible for reimbursement, and how federal funding can help your organization recover.
Navigating Public Assistance for the Arts & Culture Sector
Thursday, August 31, 2023
2:00 – 3:00 pm EDT
https://smithsonian.zoom.us/j/84008140714?pwd=WTV4S20wUzlQZzgvdUZtcHBlb3Q5dz09
Passcode: 067749
This webinar is presented by the Heritage Emergency National Task Force at the request of the Vermont Arts & Culture Disaster and Resilience Network.
*If this is the first time you are receiving this newsletter from ACCD, you have been added as part of reporting your business damages to Vermont 211.
Agency of Commerce and Community Development
