2024 FLOOD
Was Your Business Damaged by Flooding? Please Report
Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) to Open Thursday
The Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) application portal will open on Thursday, August 29 at 8:00 AM. 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.
Property that is eligible for 2023 BEGAP funding may also be eligible for 2024 BEGAP funding. Separate applications must be submitted for each year’s funding, for each physical location. A business or nonprofit can receive grants for up to three physical locations, per flood.
Before the application opens, businesses and nonprofits 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 before they begin the online application process.
BEGAP Eligibility and Grant Calculations
2024 BEGAP Funding: Applications are due November 15, 2024, for properties affected by the 2024 floods. Grants will cover 30% of net uncovered damages, up to $100,000. Preference will be given to Vermont-based operations, and 10% of funds have been set aside for Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color applicants.
2023 BEGAP Funding: Applications are due September 30, 2024, for properties affected by the 2023 floods that have not yet already received 2023 BEGAP funding. Grants will cover 30% of net uncovered damages, up to $50,000, and 20% of funds have been set aside for Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color applicants.
Supplemental 2023 BEGAP Funding: Entities that previously received 2023 BEGAP funding, and have ongoing unmet need, should use the application to submit an inquiry for 2023 Supplemental BEGAP funding. Inquiries that are deemed to be eligible applicants will then receive an email directing them to apply for 2023 Supplemental BEGAP funding. Eligible applicants must have 50 or fewer employees and the previous BEGAP award must have been less than $500,000. Grant amounts (up to $50,000) will be determined by dividing the remaining 2023 BEGAP funds (following the close of 2023 BEGAP applications on September 30, 2024) by the aggregate unmet need of 2023 Supplemental BEGAP applicants. 20% of funds have been set aside for awards to Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color applicants.
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 ACCD.BizFloodGrant@Vermont.gov. You will be connected with state-contracted translation and interpretation services.
DED will share a pre-recorded webinar that will walk applicants through the process step-by-step and answer FAQ’s.
For additional questions about the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program please email ACCD.BizFloodGrant@Vermont.gov.
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: agr.floodresponse@vermont.gov. 40% of 2024 funds are reserved for applications from agricultural and silvicultural businesses until November 15, 2024.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers
FEMA has several Disaster Recovery Centers in Vermont. They are open seven days a week from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm. Visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center to learn more about disaster assistance programs, find out the status of your FEMA application, and get answers to other questions regarding federal assistance.
Barre Auditorium
20 Auditorium Hill
Barre
Report Storm Damage
If your home, business, or nonprofit organization has suffered damage, please report it to 211. You can do that by calling 211 or reporting it online. Here are links to the business damage form and the residential damage form.
Business Damage Form: https://vermont211.org/business-form
Resident Damage Form: https://vermont211.org/resident-form
To be clear, this is a data collection effort that provides the state with important intelligence to be able to respond to non-emergency. storm-related damages and allow us to keep track of cumulative damages needed when applying for federal disaster relief.
When documenting your damage, please write it down what you find and take photos of it. This will not only be helpful for reporting to 211, but it will also be helpful to you if you decide to make an insurance claim.
No damage is too small to report. It will all help the state of Vermont paint a picture of the devastation that will be used to apply for federal disaster relief.
Please note: 211 is not for reporting emergencies. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.
Want to help your neighbors impacted by the floods?
• Sign up here to volunteer: https://forms.gle/UySG65EkPYmmfr2Y7
• Donate here for UW Disaster Recovery Fund: https://uwlamoille.org/how-to-help/flooding-relief-fund.html
• More information on helping? Write to volunteer@uwlamoille.org
• Have a dehumidifier or fan that you don’t need or are willing to loan? Please let us know: learn@uwlamoille.org
Need help cleaning up?
• Use this short form to let us know what help you need: https://forms.gle/fUpHaoxyxKnh62fQ6
• Or, write learn@uwlamoille.org or text 802-730-9513. One of our household advocates will be in touch!
• Need a dehumidifier or a fan to help in your flood recovery? LeARN has a NEW Flood Recovery Lending Library with both! Email learn@uwlamoille.org or text 802-730-9513 to find out more!