A flooded cornfield. ACCD photo.
Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development The Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) application portal is now open. Before businesses and nonprofits apply, they are encouraged to visit the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program page to learn how the program works and what they need to have on hand to successfully submit an application.
BEGAP is a grant program for businesses, nonprofits, landlords, and farms that suffered physical damage from flooding. It is available for properties damaged in 2023 and/or 2024.
BEGAP Webinar
A pre-recorded webinar is available to watch online that walks applicants step-by-step through the application process and answers several FAQs. The webinar slides are available to view here.
BEGAP Application Help
All applicants seeking assistance in preparing to submit this grant application can receive help from the Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation. Fill out their support request form and they will follow up with resources to help. Businesses located in the Northeast Kingdom may also attend one of two walk-in clinics hosted by the Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA). Clinics will be open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Thursday, September 5th
NVDA Offices
36 Eastern Avenue, Suite 1 St. Johnsbury - Monday, September 9th
Do North Coworking - 3rd Floor Classroom
930 Broad StreetLyndonville
If you are a non-English speaker and need translation assistance, please email [email protected]. You will be connected with state-contracted translation and interpretation services.
For additional questions about the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program please email [email protected].
BEGAP Help for Farms
Agricultural businesses are encouraged to visit the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (AAFM) website for guidance before applying. If agricultural businesses have questions, they can email: [email protected]. 40% of 2024 funds are reserved for applications from agricultural and silvicultural businesses until November 15, 2024.
SBA Loans for Businesses
The U.S. Small Business Administration is making available two loan programs to businesses in the following counties that suffered damage on July 9, 10, and 11.
Physical Damage Loans
- Addison
- Caledonia
- Chittenden
- Essex
- Lamoille
- Orleans
- Washington
Deadline to apply is October 21, 2024.
Economic Injury Loans
- Addison
- Caledonia
- Chittenden
- Essex
- Franklin
- Grand Isle
- Lamoille
- Orange
- Orleans
- Rutland
- Washington
- Windsor
- New Hampshire: Coos and Grafton Counties
- New York: Clinton, Essex, and Washington Counties
Deadline to apply is May 20, 2025.
Applications for disaster loans may be submitted online using the MySBA Loan Portal or other locally announced locations. Please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center by email at or by phone at 1-800-659-2955 for further assistance.
Help for Private Non-Profits
Federal help for Private Non-Profits (PNP) is determined by the type of services a non-profit provides. The federal government considers whether those services are Critical or Non-critical and of a governmental nature. Definitions of those categories are below, as are the counties where help is available.
Critical
Critical PNPs provide services of a governmental nature that include:
- Fire and emergency services
- Electric power
- Water supply and some irrigation
- Telephone communications
- Sewer and wastewater treatment
- Direct medical care
PNPs which provide critical services of a governmental nature may apply directly to FEMA for uninsured disaster-related expenses and/or disaster-related damages to the facility.
Non-critical
Non-critical PNPs provide services of a governmental nature that include:
- Museums
- Educational facilities
- Zoos
- Custodial care facilities
- Libraries
- Alcohol and drug rehabilitation
- Community centers
- Battered spouse programs
- Homeless shelters
- Low-income housing
- Shelter workshops
- Food programs for the needy
- Senior citizen centers
- Daycare centers for special needs
PNPs which provide non-critical services of a governmental nature must first apply for disaster assistance from SBA, and exhaust SBA loan assistance, or be declined by SBA before seeking grant assistance for permanent repairs and/or replacements from FEMA.
That SBA help is for Physical Damage Loans and/or Economic Injury Loans for storm damage in the following counties that occurred on July 9, 10, and 11:
- Addison
- Caledonia
- Chittenden
- Essex
- Lamoille
- Orange
- Orleans
- Washington
The deadline to apply for a Physical Damage loan is October 21, 2024. The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury loan is May 20, 2025.
Potential applicants can reach out the SBA with questions at [email protected] or
1-800-659-2955.
VACDaRN Storm Damage Reporting
The Vermont Arts & Culture Disaster and Resilience Network would like to know if you sustained any damages during the July 2024 flood events, especially to your collections or building, or if you need any recovery assistance. You can report the details via their Cultural Organizations Storm Damage Reporting form.
Agency of Commerce and Community Development
1 National Life Dr
Montpelier, VT 05620-5001
August 29, 2024
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