2023 FLOOD
VERMONT BUSINESS EMERGENCY GAP (BEGAP) ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Increased Award Amounts Announced
If you have already received your award you do NOT NEED TO DO ANYTHING. You will automatically receive a supplemental payment to bring your award to 30% of net uncovered damages. There has been no statement about when those checks will be sent.
If you are a current or future applicant, you will also be eligible for the 30%.
As of 9/20/23, there are significant changes to the award formula for the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP), which apply to all BEGAP grantees – past, present, and future.
Since August, when BEGAP launched, organizations that suffered less than $1 million dollars in physical damage were eligible for grants equaling 20% of their net uncovered damages (damages less insurance proceeds, donations, or other grants), with a maximum payout of $20,000. The new formula eliminates the $20,000 cap and increases payouts to 30% of net uncovered damages.
Organizations that have already received a 20% payout do not need to take any action to receive the increased award amount. They will automatically receive an additional payment to bring their award up to 30%. For organizations in the queue, they are eligible for the 30% award.
If you are an agricultural operation and have not yet applied for BEGAP, visit the link below for more information.
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The Department of Economic Development created the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP). This $20 million grant program is for businesses and nonprofits that suffered physical damages from flooding dating back to July 7, 2023. Applicants must intend on restoring, reopening, and bringing their employees back to work as soon as possible and will utilize these grant funds for that purpose.
Applications will be approved on a rolling basis until all funds are expended.
VERMONT BUSINESS EMERGENCY GAP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (BEGAP) FOR AGRICULTURE OPERATIONS
$1 million is available through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets for food and farm businesses, organizations, or individuals who raise animals and/or grow food or crops for sale, or who operate on-farm processing operations that have experienced physical damage due to the flooding event. These applicants will apply as “agriculture” sector applicants via the Agency of Agriculture website.
Agricultural or food businesses engaged in off-farm processing or food manufacturing should apply directly to ACCD BEGAP as a “manufacturing” or “retail” sector applicant.
Questions
If you represent a farm or agricultural operation and have questions, please email agr.floodresponse@vermont.gov or contact Agency of Agriculture staff Abbey Willard at 802-272-2885 or Mary Montour at 802-461-6087.
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
LAMOILLE COUNTY BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER OPEN
Small Business Association (SBA) service providers are accepting in-person consultations to businesses considering disaster and economic injury loans. All Vermont residents impacted by the flood can be served by the Business Recovery Center.
SBA customer service representative can answer questions about disaster assistance programs, assist survivors with applications and upload documents and provide updates on an application’s status. You do not need to schedule an appointment and drop-ins are welcomed. The center will operate as indicated below until further notice:
Business Recovery Center Open until 10/12/23
Location: (all other BRC locations have closed)
Engel & Völkers Okemo Building
126 Main Street Ludlow, VT 05149
Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday – 10 am – 2 pm
Sunday – closed
FEDERAL DISASTER LOAN ASSISTANCE
- Physical Damage: Loan of up to $2 million to qualified businesses or most private nonprofit organizations. Physical property damage loan applications due October 12th, 2023.
Visit the business recovery center in person or disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ or call 1-800-659-2955- Eligibility:
- A business of any size or most private nonprofit organizations;
- Located in a declared disaster area and have incurred damage during the disaster (Lamoille County is a declared disaster area)
- May be used for the repair or replacement of the following:
- Real property, machinery, equipment, fixtures, inventory, leasehold improvements
- Eligibility:
- Physical Damage: Loan of up to $2 million to qualified businesses or most private nonprofit organizations. Physical property damage loan applications due October 12th, 2023.
- Economic Damage Assistance: Economic injury loan applications due April 15, 2024.
Visit the Business Recovery Center in person or disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ or call 1-800-659-2955 - for:
- Small Business
- Small agricultural cooperative
- Most private nonprofit organizations
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) through the State of Vermont Department of Labor, provides temporary benefits to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance (UI).
DUA applications are now being accepted.
Individuals residing, working, or scheduled to work in Chittenden, Lamoille, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor counties may be eligible for DUA benefits. All applicants must apply for regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) before applying for DUA benefits. VDOL will determine if people who are applying for regular UI benefits qualify, and if not, those applicants will be given the ability to apply for DUA.
To ensure the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding DUA, applicants are encouraged to visit the official Vermont Department of Labor website at https://labor.vermont.gov/dua.
Tax Relief
Governor Phil Scott has directed the Commissioner of Taxes to extend Vermont tax deadlines for Vermonters impacted by the severe flooding of July 2023. Taxpayers impacted by flooding and unable to meet Vermont tax deadlines between July 7, 2023, and November 15, 2023, will now have until November 15, 2023, to file and pay taxes.
Taxpayers impacted by the flood do not need to contact the Department of Taxes to request extensions for the tax types listed below. Due dates between July 7, 2023 and November 15, 2023 will automatically be extended for taxpayers impacted by the flooding for:
- Corporate and business income tax, including estimated payments
- Sales and use tax
- Meals and rooms tax
- Payroll withholding tax
- Estimated personal income tax payments, originally due September 15, 2023
- Filing of 2022 Vermont personal income taxes with a valid federal or Vermont extension
Those with Vermont tax obligations beyond what is listed above, due between July 7 and November 15, 2023, can request extensions by contacting the department’s Taxpayer Services Division for assistance. Note that in some cases, the department may ask for proof of hardship to grant extensions.
The tax relief summarized above is for those impacted by July’s severe flooding. Taxpayers not impacted by the flood are expected to file and pay taxes by their original due dates.
SBA Mitigation Assistance
For businesses with an SBA is disaster loan, there is an opportunity for additional funding. The SBA is offering mitigation assistance. It allows those who already have loans to receive up to 20% more to make building upgrade to protect from future disasters. Examples of flood mitigation include:
- Seal a roof deck.
- Landscape to improve runoff and drainage.
- Elevate structures.
- Relocate outside a flood plain.
- Add a sump pump.
- Convert the lowest floor to a flexible space that is less likely to be damaged in a flood.
For more information, visit the SBA Mitigation Assistance web page.
Economic Injury Survey
A reminder for businesses that suffered lost income but no physical damage to please participate in ACCD’s Economic Injury Survey. The data will be used to provide a more complete picture of the flooding’s toll and inform advocacy for recovery, relief, and resiliency programs. There is currently no grant program for businesses that exclusive suffered economic damage. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Flood Property Buyouts
Grant funding is available to cover 100% of the cost for voluntary buyouts of residential, commercial, and vacant parcels. Eligible properties include those that flooded in July and those that were spared but are at risk of future flooding.
If a property owner is considering pursuing a voluntary buyout, or if a municipality has property owners who may be interested, please fill out this intake form. Vermont Emergency Management will then direct you to the appropriate application materials in the next few weeks.
BUSINESS RESOURCES AND GUIDES
Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) Storm Recovery and Resource Center
Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) dedicated web page, Flood Resources for Small Businesses, which includes the Disaster Recovery Guide for Business.
Vermont Agency of Agriculture Flood Response and Recovery Resources and guidelines for farmers dealing with issues like milk dumping, crop damage, re-opening facilities, etc.
United Way of Lamoille County Flood Information
BUSINESS RECOVERY FUNDS
Vermont Main Street Flood Recovery Fund, in partnership with Capstone Community Action is raising money to provide grants to Vermont’s small business owners impacted by July 10th’s flooding.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR UP TO $2,500 IN GRANT ALLOCATIONS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO REAPPLY AS FUNDS BECOME AVAILABLE.
The grants are to cover costs such as equipment replacement, supplies and help with clean-up.
The Vermont Professionals of Color Network (VT PoC) is dedicated to supporting the success of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), also known as the Global Majority, through networking, education, and advocacy. This inaugural relief fund was established to support BIPOC small businesses and community members following the 2023 VT Flood and will remain active as a integral part of our network. How will the funds be used? At this time, BIPOC small business owners and community members who have been impacted by the 2023 VT Flood will receive funds. We consider small business owners to be:
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Restaurant & Industry Support for Economic Sustainability (RISE) Grant Fund
will provide direct financial aidfor the purposes of rebuilding and recovering from damage and losses suffereddue to recent flooding. Grant application details are forthcoming. An AdvisoryCommittee is comprised of representatives from the Vermont Chamber of Commerceand Vermont Independent Restaurants. Donation information is available at vtchamber.com/rise.
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
EQIP-Disaster Assistance, applies to resource concerns that threaten the ongoing agricultural operation or create an imminent threat to agricultural operations. Contact Lamoille’s local NRCS office at 802-888-4935 in Morrisville at 109 Professional Drive, Suite 2.
Vermont Association of Realtors® Disaster Relief Fund
The VAR has established a fund for Vermonters impacted from the recent floods. Recipient must be a full-time resident and U.S. citizen or legally admitted for residence in the United States. (Landlords are eligible)
The Vermont Farm Fund through the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) has emergency loans available to help farmers impacted by flooding to start the recovery process.
Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund $10,000 grants for brick and mortar locations, funded by DoorDash.
Vermont Arts Council has opened an application process for emergency relief for artists for whom flooding has significantly affected their ability to produce, perform and/or market their work.
Efficiency Vermont Flood Recovery Rebates for Businesses whose heating, cooling, refrigeration, or commercial kitchen equipment was damaged by recent floods can receive a $1,000 flood recovery rebate per product, up to four products, in addition to standard offers, for the purchase of new qualifying equipment.
REPORTING DAMAGES
- Continue to diligently document your situation in both words and pictures. That means to continue to take pictures of damage, and to write down what actions you are taking.
- Make sure your financial records are in order.
- Register at 211 and report flood damage.
Sign up for the Severe Storm Recovery Newsletter
Specifically related to the flood and updates.
FUNDRAISERS
Donation opportunities for local establishments who were hard hit from the flood:
Cambridge Regional Health Center
EVENTS
IRS – Disaster Tax Relief for Vermont Businesses
September 28, 2023
10:00 am – 11:00 am
webinar via Teams, Join the video meeting by clicking on this link.
Or you can join the audio portion only by dialing +1 737-253-8186 with access code: 394 629 3#
Due to the federally declared disaster in Vermont caused by the July flooding, the IRS is offering a webinar on disaster tax relief provisions available to Vermont businesses.
- Postponed filing and payment due dates.
- What is a casualty loss?
- Computing and claiming casualty losses.
- Electing to claim casualty losses on a prior year’s tax return.
- Documenting casualty losses.
- Claiming inventory losses.
- Useful IRS reference materials
Business Emergency Gap Assistance (BEGAP)
Recorded Webinar
The Department of Economic Development recently held a webinar to discuss the details of the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP). Learn more about the details of this $20,000,000 grant program that is intended to provide emergency bridge grants to non-profits and businesses that suffered physical damage during the July flood events. Topics include: program eligibility, grant award calculation, program guidelines review, application requirements and a Q&A session with Agency staff.
FEMA & the SBA During a Disaster Response
Learn about federal assistance and what these organizations do and don’t do in an emergency. Agency of Commerce and Community Development hosted a webinar with FEMA and the SBA.
