SEYMOUR – After severe flooding hit several towns, local business owners are urgently seeking help to rebuild.
On Monday, Governor Ned Lamont visited Seymour, one of the hardest-hit areas, to announce state grants of up to $25,000 for businesses with fewer than 100 employees. The total funding available is $5 million.
Many business owners need the funds quickly, as most did not have flood insurance. The unprecedented storm, which dumped 14 inches of rain on Oxford in one day, caught everyone off guard.
State officials have been working on recovery efforts for the past week. Businesses can apply for grants starting September 3, and they could receive funds within a week.
We wanted to act fast,” Lamont said to a gathering of business owners and local officials at a damaged shopping plaza in Seymour. He described how water damage affected several businesses within just an hour and a half.
Small businesses and nonprofits in Litchfield, New Haven, and Fairfield counties can apply for grants to replace damaged equipment and inventory. Up to 200 businesses could receive help in this first round of funding.
While the total damage hasn’t been fully assessed, officials estimate losses could reach $100 million in areas like Oxford, Southbury, and Seymour.
Governor Lamont, along with other officials, emphasized the importance of swift action. Themis Klarides, a former state House Republican leader, spoke emotionally about her family’s long-standing business, urging for immediate help.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, who is pushing for federal funding, called the flooding an “inland coastal catastrophe.” He emphasized the need for better infrastructure to protect against future storms.
The damage has caused delays in the reopening of schools in Oxford, with some public roads and private driveways still needing repairs. The new school start date is yet to be determined.