Okemo Valley Disaster Resources
Okemo Valley Chamber:
A critical focus for us is gathering all flood relief information and organizing it in such a way that it’s most useful. We continue to gather updated community & business resources to help. We have also launched a community flood assessment survey to best understand your needs to help us marshal and highlight appropriate resources. This Assessment Survey will help us to better know how you’re affected and what resources we should focus on for you. If you have not already had a chance to participate, please complete it HERE. If you are able to help volunteer, please sign up HERE. As so many have asked how they can help, the Okemo Valley Chamber (Ludlow Rotary Club fiscal agent) to create the Okemo Valley Disaster Relief Fund for tax deductible donations. Contributions can be designated to a particular Okemo Valley town (including Ludlow, Mount Holly, Chester, Weston, Londonderry, Cavendish, Andover, Baltimore, Grafton, Plymouth, Shrewsbury, Weathersfield). View a recent Okemo Valley TV episode from the Chamber all about the Okemo Valley Disaster Relief Fund. If you prefer to send in your donation by mail, please make it out to the LARCF (Ludlow Area Rotary Club Foundation) c/o OVRCC, PO Box 333, Ludlow, VT 05149. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Okemo Valley Business Recovery Center
The US SBA (Small Business Administration) in conjunction with FEMA (US Federal Emergency Management Agency) has opened the Okemo Valley Business Recovery Center (BRC02) in the Town of Ludlow for the Okemo Valley Region (including Windsor County & contiguous counties) based businesses (of all sizes), homeowners, renters & private non-profits at: 126 Main Street, (Engel & Völkers Okemo Building), Ludlow, VT 05149. The hours of operation will be Monday to Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm. To better prepare for your meeting, click on the following documents:
Business Recovery Grants:
- Okemo Valley Disaster Relief Fund: small disaster fund for Okemo Valley businesses & individuals with physical damage costs not answered by flood or other insurance, crowd-funding or other grants. Grant amounts may range up to $5,000-$10,000. DEADLINE to apply: Wednesday August 23, 2023. Apply HERE.
- VT Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program: View webinar HERE. Learn more & apply HERE.
- VT Community Foundation (pending)
- VT Disaster Recovery Fund: established & managed by an independent, non-profit organization, the VT Long-Term Recovery Group (VTLRG).
- VT Main Street Flood Recovery Grants: Up to $2500. Learn more & apply HERE.
- VT Arts Council Grants for Artists: Up to $3000. Learn more & apply HERE.
- Efficiency Vermont: Grants for up to $10,000 for homeowners, renters & landlords to purchase energy-efficient appliances & heating systems. Apply HERE.
- Realtor’s Relief Foundation: RRF funds will be made available to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis to help with homeownership-related challenges.
- Door Dash Restaurant Disaster Relief Funds: $10,000 grants available for selected restaurants affected by natural disasters like floods. Learn more & apply HERE.
Community Resources:
- Crown Point Board of Realtors (CPBoR): $50,000 from the Okemo Valley Disaster Fund is being distributed by local realtors to individuals impacted by the recent flooding disaster. Seek out a local REALTOR or Real Estate Office who is a member of the CPBoR and they will assist in filling out an application. Applicants must explain their unmet financial needs on the form which are those not covered by insurance, other gifts or donations. All names must be submitted via the form no later than September 6, 2023.
- Okemo Valley TOWN Resources
- Vermont Emergency Eats: flood response program targeted to feed those affected by the disaster in Ludlow, Cavendish, Plymouth, Weston & Londonderry. These residents can get meal vouchers from Black River Good Neighbor Services in Ludlow or Neighborhood Connections in Londonderry for meals at participating restaurants. The program will run from Aug. 8-31, 2023 and is sponsored by FEMA, VT Governor Phil Scott, multiple state agencies, SEVCA, Springfield Family Center & Chester Helping Hands.
- MARC (Multi-Agency Resource Center): Includes FEMA, Red Cross, Economic Services, SBA, etc. Travelling around the region between various locations including Ludlow Community Center, etc.
- Shelters: Ludlow Community Center, Cavendish Baptist Church, Cavendish Elementary School, Belmont Village Fire Station, Mount Holly Town Hall, Plymouth Community Center, Londonderry Flood Brook School, Londonderry Town Hall, South Londonderry Baptist Church
- Town Emergency Coordinators
- VT 211: local community resources
- VT Public article about Returning home after a flood
Business Resources:
- Agency of Commerce & Community Development (ACCD): Storm Recovery Resource Center & Severe Storm Recovery Newsletter
- VT Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC): Disaster Recovery Guide for Business
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): The Vermont District Office of the SBA offers Disaster Assistance, including the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (low cost long term loan active now apply HERE). The SBA Loan APPLICATION for Business Physical Damage has been extended to 10/12/23. Here is a fact sheet on SBA Disaster Loans for Homeowners & Renters in Vermont. They also have a guide on Flood Disaster for Businesses & Non-Profits.
- VT SBA Approved Lenders include Berkshire Bank, Heritage Family Credit Union, & M&T Bank.
- Vermont SCORE: The Champlain Valley Chapter of SCORE (formerly the Senior Corps of Retired Executives) in Vermont offers free technical assistance and workshops, many of which are now online. Learn more HERE.
- 211 is collecting Disaster Damage Reports from Businesses for FEMA. Please fill out the form HERE.
- VT Department of Labor: Unemployment Assistance & Disaster Unemployment Assistance
- VT Bar Association Pro Bono Legal Assistance: Homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by floods seeking legal assistance can find support by applying HERE.
- US Chamber of Commerce: Flood Recovery Resources page.
Government Resources:
- State Legislators: Contact your local state representatives or senators. Find them HERE.
- VT U.S. Congressional Delegation: Our federal congressional delegation offices have been working to support our region: Congresswoman Balant, Senator Sanders, & Senator Welch
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Register HERE. For local & state referrals for assistance, click HERE.
- VT Department of Agriculture, Food & Markets: Flooding Disaster Response & Relief Resources.
- USDA (US Department of Agriculture) Rural Development: Single Family Home Repair Grant of $40,000, for very-low-income homeowners with flood damage and 504 Home Repair loans.
Community Partners:
- Black River Action Team (BRAT) is organizing volunteer clean up crews
- Okemo Mountain School
- Senior Solutions funds to replace lost food
- Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) Help with home repair, weatherization, financial counseling and other resources for Windsor & Windham counties.
Find up to date info on the following items by clicking each link: Road Closures, Shelters & Damages, Power Outages, Water Boil Alerts, Weather Forecast, River Levels, VT Alerts, VT Emergency Management, VT Flood Resources & Volunteer Opportunities.
Support Chamber Members & their Communities:
Please continue to support these Chamber members during this difficult time. You can also help to support these businesses by purchasing gift cards/certificates by shopping online HERE, purchasing food or gift cards with DINE members, & supporting local non-profits HERE.
Chamber members offer a variety of services to help including: Architecture/Engineering/Historic Preservation, Clean up, Excavation, Financial Planning, Insurance, Plumbing, Printing, Temporary Storage, & Transportation. Please contact us at info@yourplaceinvermont.com if you have any other specific needs.
Please stay connected and reach out for assistance as needed – we’re always just a call or email away!