ALBANY – The Senate and Assembly have passed an agreed upon bill (S.6783) cosponsored by Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I- 57th District) to provide $6.9 million in flood recovery funds for Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties. The funding is part of a $90 million package to assist upstate individuals, small businesses and local governments still dealing with damage from flooding and other natural disasters since 2007.
The legislation would establish a Flood Recovery and Severe Storm grant program for small businesses, farms, owners of multiple dwellings, owners of residences, neighborhood associations, not-for profit corporations and municipalities, to receive grants from the Empire State Development Corporation.
“This grant program for municipalities and special districts in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties would assist our region immensely as we are still trying to recover from the widespread flood related damage caused by the July 14 and 15, 2015 storm. The Governor certainly understands the devastating impact and the tremendous costs to our municipalities that resulted. I am hopeful that he will sign this legislation into law quickly so that we can help our localities and our taxpayers cover the costs of the many infrastructure, restoration and reconstruction projects this storm left in its wake.”
The plan is modeled after the highly successful relief program implemented after the destruction caused by Hurricanes Irene and Lee in 2011.
