U.S. Small Business Administration to Provide Low-Interest Loans to Eligible Residents and Businesses Affected by Heavy Rains and Flooding in Clinton County
Declaration Marks New York’s Instance of Accessing Funding Through the Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Program
In-Person Disaster Loan Outreach Centers Will Open at Ellenburg Town Hall on Wednesday, December 6
Loan Applications Also Available Online Here
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the U.S. Small Business Administration will offer federal assistance to New Yorkers in Clinton County who were impacted by heavy rains and flooding in July 2023. Residents and businesses in Clinton County are now eligible to apply for low-interest loans to aid in their recovery from this event thanks to a new SBA program that offers additional financial assistance to those in rural areas impacted by disasters. For the first time, New York obtained this declaration under the federal Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities program, which was signed into law this past June.
“Clinton County experienced historic levels of rainfall and flooding in early July, severely impacting small businesses and residents,” Governor Hochul said. “These low-interest loans will help those affected by flooding recover and get back on their feet. My administration is committed to ensuring New Yorkers who suffer at the hands of harsh weather can get as much federal assistance as possible.”
The federal Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act authorizes the SBA to simplify the process for a governor to request an SBA disaster declaration in rural counties. Under this new program, an SBA declaration can be made with only one damaged property in a rural area when the county has received a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance, but not Individual Assistance. The U.S. Small Business Administration determined Clinton County was eligible for the new program and will make low interest loans available to businesses and impacted individuals.
New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, "In July, homeowners and businesses throughout Clinton County incurred damage from the heavy rains and flooding that impacted much of the state. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul, and the SBA’s new Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities program, New Yorkers in Clinton County will now be able to access the low-interest loans they need to support their recovery.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “After heavy rainfall and devastating floods caused widespread damage across Clinton County this past July, I'm thankful to the SBA for taking this critical step forward and providing assistance to those in our community who were hit hardest. This federal relief will provide essential support that ensures Clinton County homeowners, businesses, and non-profits can recover. I commend Governor Hochul for her commitment to ensuring communities across Clinton County that were impacted by this extreme flooding have the support they need to rebuild stronger than ever, and I will continue to fight to deliver all of the federal resources needed to our New York families in need."
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Severe weather this summer devastated homes and businesses in Clinton County, and I’m proud to see New York families will now receive the federal assistance they need to recover. Making these disaster loans accessible is the first step for countless area residents to rebuild and regain their livelihoods. I thank the SBA for offering this critical federal assistance and I will continue to fight to ensure all New Yorkers have every available resource to accelerate the recovery process after severe weather events.”
From July 09-10, parts of the North Country experienced several inches of rain in a short period, causing devastating flooding, closing roadways, and damaging infrastructure. Before the storm, Governor Hochul directed State agencies to prepare emergency response assets and stay in communication with local governments. The Governor deployed disaster resources to impacted areas as storms moved across the state, including Department of Transportation staff who worked to open State highways and bridges. After the storm, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and Clinton County conducted a thorough assessment of storm damages. On July 22, Governor Hochul announced the approval of a Major Disaster Declaration for Clinton, Dutchess, Essex, Hamilton, Ontario, Orange, Putnam, and Rockland counties, which secured federal financial assistance to provide funding to local governments, tribes and eligible non-profits for debris removal, protective measures, and repairs to buildings and infrastructure.
The following groups in Clinton County may now be eligible for SBA disaster loans:
- Homeowners: up to $200,000 to repair their primary residence.
- Homeowners and renters: up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
- Business owners: up to $2,000,000 for the replacement of real property, inventories, machinery, equipment, and other physical losses.
- Businesses and non-profits: Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2,000,000 to provide necessary working capital until normal operations resume after a disaster.
The SBA is establishing a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) to help New Yorkers apply in-person for assistance at:
- Town of Ellenburg Town Hall, 13 Brandy Brook Road, Ellenburg Center, NY 12934
The DLOC will open on Wednesday, December 6 at 11:00 a.m. The center's hours of operation will be 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday; Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and closed on Sundays. Customer Support Representatives will be available to assist applicants with completing the application as well as answer questions about the SBA disaster loan program. The center is scheduled to close on Friday, December 22.
Applications for disaster loans may be submitted online using the MySBA Loan Portal at https://lending.sba.gov. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email [email protected].
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, can dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is January 30, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is September 3, 2024.
Chairman of the Clinton County Legislature Mark R. Henry said, “We are thankful that these Small Business Administration Disaster Loans are being made available to both residents and businesses within Clinton County. The July flooding events were devastating to many and these loans will go a long way to assist those who were not afforded FEMA assistance or did not have proper insurance coverage in place to cover losses. Clinton County is very appreciative to the Governor for her efforts in securing this federal assistance and to our federal partners for administering the program. I would urge all affected to take advantage of this opportunity.”