The allocation in the budget brings the total state assistance to $95 million for the flood relief act.
“I’ve witnessed the impacts of flooding firsthand and know that our economy and tourism industry were struggling, but I also saw the true spirit of the North Country when I was filling sandbags last summer with volunteers and members of the National Guard,” Assemblywoman Jenne said.
“We may have been knocked down, but the North Country is resilient, and I’ll always be a strong, loud voice to ensure our families and businesses get what they need and deserve,” she added.
The St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario experienced flooding starting last spring and summer, severely impacting homes and businesses along the lake and river.
In addition to physical damage, Assemblywoman Jenne said she is concerned drops in tourism in the region last summer could be felt for years to come as these communities rebuild.
"It's important to get the message out to those tourists that have an affinity for the Thousand Islands and North Country that our waterfront businesses are ready to welcome them back to the region this summer," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
She co-sponsored legislation in the state Assembly - a bill sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle - to create the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence Seaway Flood Relief and Recovery Grant Program to provide grants to small businesses, farms, homeowners and municipalities for storm-related repairs and rebuilding efforts.
For impacted homeowners, legislation enacted last summer increased the maximum award from $40,000 to $50,000 and expanded eligibility to include all primary homeowners, as well as non-primary homeowners with income up to $275,000.
Program assistance reimburses homeowners for eligible losses, including repairs to and restoration of structures, equipment, and other physical damage. The program is being administered through not-for profit housing organizations seeking to help homeowners affected by the flooding.
Small businesses, farms, homeowner associations, and not-for-profit organizations that sustained direct physical flood-related damage are eligible to receive up to $50,000 under this program, while owners of multiple dwellings are eligible to receive up to $20,000.
Program assistance are calculated at 50 percent of eligible loss, compensating eligible entities for repairs to and restoration of structures, equipment, and other physical damage and declines in revenue in excess of 15 percent as a result of closures or reduced business. The program is being administered by Empire State Development.
Counties, cities, towns, villages and special districts that sustained direct physical flood-related damage are also eligible to receive up to $1,000,000 for repairs to and restoration of municipal infrastructure and systems and up to $500,000 for flood mitigation, construction of resiliency measures, or flood control projects. This program is being administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
Assemblywoman Jenne said negotiations with the executive branch had led to an initial $45 million allocation in July. But she said the governor has repeatedly pledged all eligible applicants will receive relief for direct physical damages related to the historic Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River flooding and his support for the additional funding over the past several months if proof that he is living up to that commitment.
Counties, cities, towns, villages and special districts that sustained direct physical flood-related damage are also eligible to receive up to $1,000,000 for repairs to and restoration of municipal infrastructure and systems and up to $500,000 for flood mitigation, construction of resiliency measures, or flood control projects. This program is being administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
Assemblywoman Jenne said negotiations with the executive branch had led to an initial $45 million allocation in July. But she said the governor has repeatedly pledged all eligible applicants will receive relief for direct physical damages related to the historic Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River flooding and his support for the additional funding over the past several months if proof that he is living up to that commitment.
She said she stopped in Alexandria Bay on Thursday to check on the water levels. "The docks were about 2 feet above the water. That's a far cry from last spring when those same docks were underwater. I'm hoping this is a positive sign for the weeks and months to come," the assemblywoman pointed out.