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Nearly a dozen Lowville area businesses split nearly $90,000 for flooding repair assistance from Naturally Lewis Reboot Fund

Published on October 07, 2024

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LOWVILLE- Nearly a dozen Lowville, NY area businesses are receiving financial assistance from the Naturally Lewis Reboot Fund, a local fundraising initiative that was launched back in July after a devastating rainstorm that resulted in localized flash flooding.

Thanks to the community support from donors here at home and from afar, the fund managed to collect almost $90,000. (***To clarify, nearly $290,000 in financial assistance was received amongst the businesses, including relief from the Emergency Relief Loan Fund and the Vacant Property Revitalization Program).

In fact, officials say over 20% of donations came in from outside of New York State.

The businesses include:

  • Crave Diner - $1,798.66
  • Dimensions Salon - $2,665.94
  • DuFlo Agency LLC - $4,906.69
  • GrassRoot Meats - $6,032.73
  • Lloyds of Lowville - $8,677.10
  • Mike's Appliances - $33,561.21
  • North Country CPAs - $15,786.41
  • Rhonda Vanucchi - $4,457.46
  • Young Law Office, PLLC - $11,275.92

Businesses impacted by the flooding were eligible to apply for this emergency relief assistance after confirming receipts for any qualifying expenses, including equipment, furniture, utilities, clean-up and inventory.

Submitted expenses were calculated based on our process of equitable distribution, where each business was allocated 54.97% of their total qualified expenses.

The Lewis County Development Corporation allocated $200,000 towards the creation of an Emergency Relief Loan Fund in their Community Economic Development Program.

Funds for this program were provided by Number 3 Wind through a Host Community Agreement and a generous donation of $25,000 from Community Bank, NA.

The Emergency Loan Fund will be an ongoing fund created for any business that experiences any emergency caused by natural disasters, fires and more. There was one received and approved application for the Emergency Relief Loan Fund:

  • Jeb’s Restaurant - $100,000 loan.

The Lewis County Development Corporation also allocated $200,000 from the Vacant Property Revitalization (VPR) Program towards a “Preventative Vacant Property Revitalization Program.”

The VPR Program was created in 2023 from ARPA funds, allocated to the LCDC by the Lewis County Board of Legislators, to revitalize vacant properties into usable space. This recent allocation was to prevent vacancies due to the flooding. The LCDC awarded:

  • Cedar Bridge Properties – 50% of qualifying expenses, up to $100,000.

Applications for the Reboot Fund and Preventative Vacant Property Fund are now closed.

The Emergency Loan Fund will be an ongoing program for any business needing assistance due to an emergency.

In total, 11 businesses benefitted from programs created by local organizations and donations, with $289,162.12 allocated to local businesses affected by flooding.

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