The Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce is doing everything possible to help those members of our local business community who were impacted by the floods get back on their feet. If you're a business owner who needs some basic information about flood recovery and assistance, please refer to the pages in this section. FEMA Registration FEMA assistance is available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private, non-profit organizations affected by the flood. However, you must register for this assistance. Apply by phone at (800) 621-FEMA (1.800.621.3362) or on-line at www.fema.gov or www.dhs.iowa.gov. If you have insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy. Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other assistance may come in the form of loans. After registering with FEMA, if you have questions about Other Needs Assistance (ONA) including repair and replacement of personal property, repair or replacement of an essential vehicle, moving and storage expenses, disaster-related medical, dental, funeral, or miscellaneous expenses, call (866) 434-4692 M-F 8 AM to 4 PM. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a valuable resource for business owners affected by the floods. Business Physical Disaster Loans are low interest loans (4%) to repair or replace disaster-damaged property including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size and non-profit organizations are eligible. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are low-interest loans (4%) to small businesses for working capital to assist throughout the recovery period. This loan is only available to applicants who cannot provide for their own recovery from non-government sources. For more information, visit www.sba.gov or contact the SBA Answer Desk at (800) U-ASK-SBA (800-827-5722). You can also e-mail answerdesk@sba.gov. The contacts at the local SBA Office, which is located at 2750 First Ave. NE in Cedar Rapids, are Dennis Larkin and Alex Contreras. They can be reached at (319) 362-6405. To view an online tutorial for business owners affected by the flood, visit: SBA Business Recovery Center The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Cedar Rapids. The center is specifically designed to provide a single-stop location for businesses impacted by flooding to access a variety of specialized help. The BRC is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the lower level of Westdale Mall (2600 Edgewood Rd. SW in Cedar Rapids) – across from Bath and Body Works. Specialists from the following organizations are available to meet individually with each business owner: U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Government Contracting Iowa Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE) Women’s Business Center City of Cedar Rapids
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Assistance is available for victims whose employment was affected by the recent flooding. If you have worked for an employer covered by unemployment insurance, you may be eligible for regular unemployment benefits. If you are not eligible, there is additional Disaster Unemployment Assistance available. To find out more about these programs, please visit: Relocated Business Directory The Gazette and KCRG-TV9 have created a new website, www.floodlist.com, to provide assistance with long-term flood recovery efforts. The site gives flood victims the chance to ask for help – and offers residents the chance to step up and offer assistance. It also helps users search for lost items and update contact information, so others know where to find them. ASSISTANCE FOR EMPLOYEES & THEIR FAMILIES Iowa Disaster Reimbursement Grant This program provides limited financial assistance to eligible households with disaster-related needs, which are unable to meet such needs through other means. Income guidelines and other restrictions apply. The grants are limited to a maximum of $3,319 per household. Applications must be submitted within 45 days of the Governor’s Disaster Declaration (June 8, 2008). Applications are available online at www.dhs.iowa.gov or by calling (877) 937-3663. GRANT FUNDS The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) will provide $1 million in Emergency Flood Assistance Grants for museums, libraries, archives, universities and other cultural and historical institutions in federally designated disaster areas affected by the floods in the Midwest. Applicants should contact the Division of Preservation and Access by e-mail at preservation@neh.gov or by telephone at (202) 606-8570) to describe the humanities collections at risk and the nature of the damage. The Division’s staff will guide prospective applicants in the preparation of a letter of request to NEH Chairman Bruce Cole.
Corridor Flood Recovery Information For more detailed information about residential and commercial flood recovery, as well as the services and volunteer opportunities that are available, visit www.corridorrecovery.org Below are websites that contain additional information: Cedar Rapids Small Business Recovery: www.crsmallbusinessrecovery.com Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Floods http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/ First Steps to Flood Recovery (Purdue University) http://www.ces.purdue.edu/floodpub/ Various Flood Resources (Kansas State) http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/Flood/ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Flood http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm American Red Cross: Disaster Services http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_502_,00.html
Managing Traumatic Stress: Tips for Recovering from Natural Disasters http://apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=69
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