Application Period Begins for Grants Supporting Blizzard-Damaged Homes, Businesses, and Farms

Owners of properties that suffered significant damage during the Christmastime blizzard in western and northern New York can now access federal funds. Congresswoman Claudia L. Tenney, representing Canandaigua, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Small Business Administration (SBA) have made financial assistance available for homeowners, farmers, and small business owners whose buildings were affected by the snow and wind.

Winter Storm Elliot, which struck Western New York and the north country between December 21 and 26 of the previous year, resulted in historic snowfall and prolonged blizzard conditions. While no deaths were reported in the north country, numerous buildings experienced damage due to the heavy, wet snowfall. It took weeks for the region to recover, with subsequent warm weather aiding in the snowmelt.

The federal government has established two grant programs to support the affected individuals and businesses. The USDA operates a home repair grant program for homeowners in Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Genesee, Wyoming, Niagara, Oneida, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua Counties. This grant can provide up to $40,675 in assistance for storm-related repairs. The SBA offers a grant program for families, businesses, and farms with uninsured losses caused by the blizzard. Eligible buildings must be located in Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Wyoming, Cattaraugus, or Chautauqua Counties. The SBA program has already disbursed over $5.8 million in loans to nearly 200 businesses and residents in Western New York.

To qualify for the USDA home repair grant, applicants must have owned a home located in the designated counties when the storm occurred. Similarly, SBA grant applicants must have owned the affected building at the time of the storm. These federal loans and grant programs aim to assist the community in rebuilding and recovering from the severe storm damage.

For more information about the USDA home repair grant, visit rd.usda.gov/page/rural-development-disaster-assistance. Details about the SBA loan can be found at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/. Individuals and businesses affected by the Christmastime blizzard are encouraged to explore these resources to access the available financial support.