Has your business been affected by flooding this summer?

The BDCC can connect businesses that have been impacted by flooding with recovery resources. We are offering businesses impacted by flooding Technical Assistance (TA) with an option for a loan. Please note that this is not a grant.

If your business is among the affected, please click the appropriate button below and fill out our Intake Form.

Scroll down on this page to explore Federal, State, Regional, and other flood recovery resources, such as grants and philanthropic resources. Check back to this page often as it will be updated as new information comes out.

Click the button above if you are seeking only technical assistance (TA).

Click the button above to apply for a Emergency Working Capital Loan in addition to Technical Assistance (TA).

Recommendations for businesses impacted by flooding:

Gather the following in a digital folder for quick and repeated access for insurance, lenders and micro grants that will emerge:

• Document ALL damage, clean up and repairs with photos
• Save digital copies of all receipts 
• Write down your experience, including times of major events
• Capture all losses (don’t underestimate): loss of business income, inventory (due to spoilage or flood water damage), equipment, property, etc.

What you should do:

• Report damage to 211 by phone or online
• Report damage to your town Emergency Manager
• Contact your insurance company to file a claim or understand what losses may be covered

How you can plan:

• Identify questions you have that we or a local, state, or federal partner can help you answer
• Avoid making quick decisions or major purchases until you are aware of the potential funding that is available to help
• Do you have a Mortgage, or other bank debt?  Then, contact your lender, explain your situation, and request relief.
• Do your vendors extend credit for payment of product and/or services? Then, reach out to those vendors, explain your situation, letting them know you are unable to sell your products and/or services, and request a pause on payment terms.
• Are you dealing with mold in the wake of flooding? The Vermont Department of Health has released guidance on how to manage mold after a flood.

Financial assistance will be primarily through your insurance, additional debt, and microgrants. 

The State of Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) is currently in the process of setting up the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program. Businesses that sustained physical flood damage will be eligible to apply to receive up to 30% of uncovered losses. Learn more about the program on the ACCD website. The application to apply is now closed.

FEMA financial assistance is not available for businesses. BDCC is offering an Emergency Working Capital Loan and SBA offers the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) with up to 30-years for repayment.

FEMA will cover some individual homeowners repair costs but does not provide grants for businesses. Businesses must rely on flood insurance, available cash reserves and debt for all necessary repairs. Businesses should begin preparing for philanthropic micro-grant opportunities by assembling the documents in a digital folder. Also keep track of your registration and form submission dates, and copies of grant applications that you submit.

Vermont has extended tax deadlines for Impacted businesses. Businesses that are still waiting for ERTC, please contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service Office: Phone: 802-859-1052.

You can also call the Taxpayer Advocate Service toll-free at 877-777-4778, or fill out Form 911, Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service Assistance PDF, and fax or mail it to the address:

128 Lakeside Ave. Suite 204, Burlington, VT 05401 United States

Press Releases & News

ACCD Severe Storm Recovery Update – October 27, 2023

ACCD Severe Storm Recovery Update – October 20, 2023

ACCD Severe Storm Recovery Update – October 13, 2023

ACCD Severe Storm Recovery Update – October 9, 2023

ACCD Severe Storm Recovery Update – September 22, 2023

ACCD Severe Storm Recovery Update – September 20, 2023

ACCD Severe Storm Recovery Update – September 11, 2023

ACCD Severe Storm Recovery Update – September 5, 2023

ACCD Severe Storm Recovery Update – August 25, 2023

ACCD Severe Storm Recovery Update – August 21, 2023

BEGAP Application Portal set to go live Thursday Morning (August 3) – August 2, 2023

ACCD Severe Storm Recovery Update – July 31, 2023

ACCD Severe Storm Recovery Update – July 27, 2023

Gov. Phil Scott Press Release on Emergency Gap Assistance Grant Program – July 27, 2023

• Watch Gov. Scott’s Press Conference – July 27, 2023

ACCD Severe Storm Recovery Update – July 25, 2023

Watch the ACCD Webinar: “Understanding FEMA & the SBA During a Disaster” from July 21, 2023.

Governor Phil Scott Announces $20 Million in Emergency Gap Funding for Businesses Impacted by Severe Flooding – July 21, 2023

Governor Phil Scott Signs Third Emergency Order in Response to Severe Flooding – July 20, 2023

U.S. Department of Labor Approves Disaster Unemployment Assistance Benefits for Vermonters in Designated Disaster Areas – July 20, 2023

Vermont extends tax deadlines as FEMA ramps up aid payouts – VTDigger – July 19, 2023

VT Agency of Commerce & Community Development – Severe Storm Recovery Updates – July 19, 2023

Governor Phil Scott Signs Order Providing More Flexibility and Additional Relief in Response to Severe Flooding – July 19, 2023

Governor Phil Scott Extends Deadlines for Upcoming Vermont Tax Due Dates for those Impacted by Historic Flooding – July 19, 2023

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Businesses and Residents of Vermont
Affected by Recent Severe Storms and Flooding – July 17, 2023

Is your business a farm?

• If your business is a farm, click here to read a specific flood recovery guide.
• The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (AAFM) has posted specific guidance for BEGAP resources for agricultural businesses.
  • If agricultural businesses have questions they can email: agr.floodresponse@vermont.gov
  • BEGAP for Farms and Agricultural Operations FAQs
• Farmer Emergency Fund (NOFA-VT)
• USDA Disaster Assistance
• Emergency Loans through Vermont Farm Fund

Is your business a restaurant?

• Restaurant Delivery service DoorDash has announced that Vermont businesses are eligible for their Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund. Restaruants must be located in a state or federally declared disaster area and been open for at least six months before the flood. Recipients could receive a $10,000 cash grant. Money can be used for rent, utilities, maintenance, supplies, payroll, and other essential expenses. Restaurants do not need to be a DoorDash partner to apply. Learn more and apply today on the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund program page.

Federal:

• Watch the ACCD Webinar: “Understanding FEMA & the SBA During a Disaster” from July 21, 2023.
• ACCD Business Emergency Gap Assistance Progam (BEGAP) – Application has closed
• SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) 
  • Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives & most private nonprofit organizations located in a declared disaster area and which have suffered substantial economic injury may be eligible for an EIDL.
    • Economic injury loan applications due April 15, 2024 
  • Download SBA Business Disaster Loan Fact Sheet
    • Physical property damage loan applications are now closed
  • Download SBA Homeowner or Renter Disaster Loan Fact Sheet
• American Red Cross Disaster Relief
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • Certain private non-profits may be eligible for Public Assistance Money through FEMA

State:

• Vermont 211
  • The State of Vermont is asking all impacted businesses to fill out a damage form through Vermont 211.
• Agency of Commerce and Community Development Storm Recovery Resource Center
• State Flood Recovery Resource Hub
• Vermont Law Help
• Vermont Emergency Management
  • FIND A MARC NEAR YOU

• State of Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets Flooding Disaster Response and Recovery Resources

• Vermont Small Business Development Center’s Sustainable Disaster Resource Guide
  • VSDBC created a 72-page bound workbook containing all the steps needed post-disaster.

Regional:

• BDCC Emergency Working Capital Loan (EWCL)
  • 0% for the first 15 months, 2% for the remainder.
  • No payments for 6 months.
  • The term is 5 years.
  • The amount is up to $10,000.00.
  • There is no Prepay Penalty.

• BDCC Technical Assistance (TA)
  • BDCC Technical Assistance (TA) is also available to connect businesses with appropriate resources.

Other state information:

• • Vermont Emergency Eats
    • Southeastern Vermont Community Action has launched Vermont Emergency Eats to help feed Vermonters in Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor Counties.  Participating restaurants in those areas will prepare meals for distribution. If you are in need of food because of the flood, or if you are a farmer, food producer or restaurant that would like to take part in feeding your fellow Vermonters, visit the Vermont Emergency Eats web site.
  • Hunger Free VT Flooding Resources

Other:

• Philanthropic Sources 
  • Vermont Community Foundation’s Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) fund (for non-profits)
    • Non-Profits that have been impacted by flooding are eligible for a grant up to $5,000.
  • Stratton Community Foundation 
  • Vermont Main Street Flood Recovery Fund (businesses only)
    • Applications are now open for grant allocations up to $2,500.
  • NPR – How to help with flood recovery in Vermont

Did you lose your job due to flooding?

If you have become employed as a result of the flood, you may apply for Unemployment Insurance from the Vermont Department of Labor. There is also Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), which is a federally funded program that provides temporary unemployment insurance benefits to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster. This program is specifically tailored to individuals who are not eligible for traditional unemployment insurance benefits. Learn more HERE.

Read more HERE.

Visit the Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance homepage HERE.

Download a Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) FactSheet HERE.

Learn more about the DUA Process HERE.

How to Donate to Flood Recovery Efforts

• NPR – How to help with flood recovery in Vermont
• Vermont Community Foundation’s Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) fund
• Stratton Community Foundation 
• Vermont Main Street Flood Recovery Fund
• Register to Volunteer