Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) announced today that application guidelines are available for the Lake Ontario Business Resiliency Program at https://esd.ny.gov/lake-ontario-business-resiliency-program.

This program will support private businesses, homeowners associations, certain not-for-profits, farms and owners of multiple dwellings that are located in Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga, Oswego, Jefferson or St. Lawrence counties that sustained damage from high water levels in the vicinity of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River between January 1, 2019 and October 31, 2019.

“Tragically, many businesses have been severely damaged by Lake Ontario’s record flooding the past year but, help is available to rebuild and fortify businesses along the shoreline,” Hawley said. “It is paramount that all affected business owners do not delay and submit applications by January 31, 2020. As always, my office is available to help navigate this process and I am pleased to see so many coming together to lift up those struggling in our community.”

The Lake Ontario Business Resiliency Program will provide up to $30 million in grants to reimburse up to 50% of the costs of resiliency-related capital improvement projects. The minimum award eligibility amount is $10,000 with a maximum award amount of up to $200,000 for resiliency projects. As a condition of receiving a grant, eligible entities must also receive a local matching contribution totaling at least 5% of the state grant.

For inquiries about the program, email LakeOntario@esd.ny.gov or call 518-292-5100. All applications must be postmarked by January 31, 2020 and delivered to Empire State Development at 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12245.