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Disaster Relief

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Rt. 2 in Grafton on Aug. 29
Hurricane Irene Disaster Relief

In the wake of Hurricane Irene, the Chamber wants to help you and your business get back on your feet, and continue to thrive here in the Rensselaer County and the Capital Region.

Here is a list of resources for those businesses and individuals who have suffered damages in the wake of Hurricane Irene. The Chamber hopes that these links will be helpful to Rensselaer County Chamber members and businesses that have incurred losses from the storm.

  • Small Business Administration Fact Sheet (The U.S. SBA reminds eligible Private Non-Profit Organizations (PNPs) of the Oct. 31 deadline to submit disaster loan applications for damages caused by Hurricane Irene that occurred on Aug. 26 – Sept 5, 2011. PNPs affected by the disaster may also apply for disaster loans electronically from SBA’s website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.)
  • ready.gov
  • FEMA
  • United Way 2-1-1 (please dial 2-1-1 to get help with Irene cleanup. Also, 2-1-1 is helping people register for FEMA.) 


State Resources:

 Business Resources:

What can YOU do to help?

Various Chamber member businesses are offering their services and assistance to those devastated by Hurricane Irene. Are you or your business doing something to help those affected by the hurricane? Do you know of something we could do as a community to help our neighbors? 

If so, please also email Claudette Thornton, director of marketing and communications, so we can place your services here on our disaster relief page. In addition, share your information on our Facebook page to spread the word!

  • United Way 2-1-1 is here for clean up assistance. They have increased their hours to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the Northeast Region.
  • Fretto's Detailing Service is offering 20% off pressure washing and carpet extracting in response to Irene clean-up. Please call (518) 466-6244.
  • The Bonadio Group offers disaster recovery and insurance claim assistance. For more information please call (518) 464-4080.
  • The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers to help aid in storm relief efforts. Please call (518) 458-8111.
  • BlueShield of Northeastern New York is assisting members who have been evacuated and displaced due to Hurricane Irene with obtaining their prescription medications. Please call (518) 220-5817.
  • Kinderhook Bank branches will be accepting donations beginning September 6th through September 16th to help families in the Capital Region receive much needed emergency services.
  • Hudson River Community Credit Union is holding a Blood Drive on Thursday September 8 from 1 - 6 p.m. to assist the American Red Cross in getting blood donations which are greatly needed as a result of the storms.  People can set up an appointment by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, visiting redcrossblood.org, stopping by the Troy branch at 40 Leversee Rd. or calling Jen at 237-1121 ext. 2560.
  • Williams Scotsman, Inc. an Algeco Scotsman Company is offering 10% off all of the normal rental and delivery rates for all people recovering from the flood
  • KeyBank has established an account for the benefit of the Keene Volunteer Fire Department, which was swept away by floodwaters.  
  • The NBT Bank is accepting monetary donations for the victims in the Town of Prattsville
  • The Rotterdam Junction and Pattersonville New York Relief Fund will also be accepting donations. They can be made at any Pioneer Branch

National Grid establishes Diaster Relief Program

1. OVERVIEW

National Grid’s Emergency Economic Development Program has been developed to provide timely economic development assistance to communities and customers who have been impacted by the devastating effects of the back-to-back natural disasters that have hit Upstate New York in Late Summer & Fall 2011. The goal of the program is to fill gaps in funding allocated to communities or businesses through federal and state programs, insurance or other emergency sources. Program funding is available to all disaster area counties but is targeted to those communities and businesses most impacted by the 2011 storms and flooding. The programs are also designed to encourage job retention in impacted communities; and to promote installation of energy efficient equipment and systems through National Grid’s portfolio of energy efficiency programs.

2. PROGRAMS

Emergency Commercial District Investment

Provides emergency grants of up to $100,000 to help offset reconstruction costs that would otherwise be borne by those communities in Upstate NY served by National Grid that have been impacted by the devastating effects of the 2011 storms and flooding.

Funds can be used to offset costs incurred by the municipalities for repair & replacement of electric infrastructure & streetlighting; demolition and reconstruction of buildings condemned as a result of wind or water damage; façade work on buildings damaged during storm to the extent necessary to repair and replace energy infrastructure. 

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  • Emergency Agriculture Fund

    Provides emergency grants of up to $25,000 to impacted farmers and agri-businesses.

    Funds may be used to offset the costs of repair & replacement of electric infrastructure; and replacement of fixed equipment necessary for the operation of the farm or agri-business including pumps, lighting, ventilation, heating, and cooling.

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      • Emergency Economic Development Bridge Loan

    Provides emergency 0% loans to authorized Local Development Corporations (LDCs) and designated emergency business and agricultural lenders which they will re-lend interest free to eligible commercial/industrial and agricultural businesses in impacted communities.

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    Provides emergency grants of up to $25,000 for renovation of buildings that have been vacated due to the impact of storm damage. This is an enhanced version of the Company’s existing Main Street program, adapted for use during this emergency situation.

    Funds may be used for energy infrastructure repair and/or replacement, site preparation, construction, renovation and rehabilitation of commercial, industrial or mixed-use buildings under 100,000 square feet.

    3. EMERGENCY PROGRAM EXPENDITURES

    Total spending on the Emergency Economic Development Programs is capped at $6 million. The funding will be spread across 2011 and 2012, however all applications for emergency assistance must be received by September 1, 2012, in order to be considered for funding.

    For more information and to apply: http://www.nationalgridus.com/

    Click on "Upstate NY"