Printer Friendly Version - Sandy Relief Grants: Info Session Nov. 19

Plenty of Branford homes, including several on Limewood Avenue, were hit hard by Super Storm Sandy on Oct. 29, 2012 -- this photo shows state crews one day after the storm, working to clear Limewood Avenue of sand and debris brought by overflowing surf. On Tues. Nov. 19, Branford will host an information session and discussion with state housing officials on grants and programs for home owners and small businesses suffering direct physical property damage from Super Storm Sandy.

On Tues. Nov. 19 at 1 p.m., the Branford Department of Planning & Zoning and the Branford Economic Development Commission will bring state housing department officials here, for a public information meeting to discuss grants and other programs the state has in place to help. The meeting will be held at the Branford Community House.

The visiting officials will discuss state programs assisting both home owners and small businesses suffering from damage caused by Super Storm Sandy, said Branford Economic Development Coordinator Terry Elton.

For homeowners, the state’s Owner Occupied Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program provides assistance to homeowners suffering direct physical damage from Super Storm Sandy, which hit on Oct. 29, 2012. Offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $150, 000 for each eligible property, the program was designed post-Sandy to give assistance in replacing and rehabilitating homes, identifying measures to mitigate damage, and improving a home’s resilience. The funding comes from a $30,000,000 state allocation.

Small business owners affected by Super Storm Sandy can learn more about the Small Business Express Program at the Nov. 19 information meeting. Officially termed the “EXP/Hurricane Sandy Business Relief Program,” it was established post-Sandy to provide assistance to eligible small businesses and non-profits which don’t have the financial resources needed to continue the rebuilding process after suffering direct physical damage from Super Storm Sandy.

The small business grants can be used for capital expenditures to repair or replace needed equipment, lost inventory, renovate damaged/destroyed facilities or to provide working capital needed as a direct result of the storm. Grant awards for each small business can range from $10,000 to $50,000. The funding comes from a $4,000,000 allocation of state Economic Revitalization Program money.

The public information session will be held on Tues. Nov. 19, 1 p.m. at Branford Community House, 46 Church Street. For more information on attending this session, contact Branford Town Hall at (203) 315-5279.