If you are a non-English speaker and need translation assistance, please contact the Department of Economic Development (ACCD.BizFloodGrant@Vermont.Gov) to be connected with State-contracted translation and interpretation services. Be prepared to leave your name, phone number, and email address so we can contact you with a translator on the line.This page can be translated using the Google translation button that appears directly above this message. Please note that you may need to zoom out in your browser to view the complete list of languages.
11/16/2024 UPDATE:
The BEGAP application portal is now closed to new applications. Applicants with existing applications can continue to access the portal to make additional updates as needed.
Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program Guidelines
Program Overview
The Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) is a grant program for businesses and nonprofits that suffered physical damages from flooding events. This includes farms and landlords.
Funding is for property damaged in the 2023 and/or 2024 floods. Eligibility and grant calculations differ depending on several factors.
BEGAP funding is granted per physical location, and separate applications need to be submitted for each physical location.
A business or nonprofit can receive grants for up to three physical locations, per flood year. (Ex. If a business or nonprofit received BEGAP funding in 2023 for three properties, and another property was damaged in 2024, they could receive BEGAP funding for that fourth property.)
These flow charts are based on whether a property was damaged in 2023, 2024, or 2023 and 2024. They are designed to help applicants determine which BEGAP path applies to a property.
If you are an agricultural business, please visit the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (AAFM) website for guidance before applying. If agricultural businesses have questions they can email: agr.floodresponse@vermont.gov
Important Information for Applicants
To ensure BEGAP communications are delivered successfully and avoid potential redirection to spam, please add the following to your approved email contacts:
A cell phone is required to open an application account.
It is essential that applicants remember their login email and password.
BEGAP funding is taxable.
Private nonprofit organizations which provide services of a governmental nature and are deemed critical should apply directly to FEMA for uninsured disaster-related expenses and/or disaster-related damages to the facility. (Ex. Emergency services, water supply, electric power, telephone communications, direct medical care.)
Technical Assistance
All applicants seeking assistance in preparing to submit this grant application, including translations, can receive help from the Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation (CVEDC). CVEDC is the statewide technical assistance provider for BEGAP. Fill out their support request form and they will follow up with resources to help.
Businesses may also attend walk-in clinics hosted by the RDCs of Vermont. Clinics will be open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Webinar
A pre-recorded webinar is available to watch online that walks applicants step-by-step through the application process and answers several FAQs. The webinar slides are available to view here.
Eligibility Requirements
This information applies to all BEGAP funding.
An eligible applicant for BEGAP must be a business or nonprofit that meets the following criteria:
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Physical property damages must be in Vermont.
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Physical damages include damage to real estate, leasehold improvements, inventory, machinery, and equipment.
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Intends to reopen in the same location or elsewhere in Vermont and will utilize the grant funds for this purpose.
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Nonprofit organizations providing community service (education, utilities, health care facilities, or emergency services) that were denied a Public Assistance Grant from FEMA.
The following are ineligible:
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Municipalities
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Businesses or nonprofits that sustained only economic injury (revenue loss)
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Individual homeowners (for home-based businesses, this application only pertains to business assets)
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Nonprofit organizations that provide community service (education, utilities, health care facilities, or emergency services) and receive a Public Assistance Grant from FEMA.
2024 BEGAP Funding
Deadline
- Applications closed on November 15, 2024.
Eligibility
- Business or nonprofit must have been established before the 2024 flood(s).
- The location for operations and/or assets must have suffered physical damages from the 2024 flood(s).
Grant Calculation
- 30% of net uncovered damages, up to $100,000.
- “Net uncovered damage” is the remaining unmet need after subtracting any insurance proceeds and other grants or donations used to defray the costs of repairing or replacing damaged assets.
- 40% of funds are reserved for applications from agricultural and silvicultural businesses until November 15, 2024.
Required Information
- Contact information
- Damaged property location and ownership documentation such as property tax bill, lease
- Federal Employer Tax Identification Number (FEIN)
- Insurance policy information: type of coverage, policy number, agent contact
- Dollar amount of damages anticipated to be recouped through insurance
- Other grants or donations received and used to defray the costs of repairing or replacing those damaged assets
- Description of the impact of the flooding on the applicant
- Damage type and estimated costs for repair/replacement
Required Documentation
- Most recently filed Federal Tax Return (or 990 for nonprofits)
- Please Note: Complete tax returns are required, and documents cannot be password protected.
- Profit and Loss Statement if the business started recently or if the most recent tax return is unavailable
- An updated IRS Form W-9
- Please Note: Documents must be hand-signed in blue or black in within the last year. Digital signatures will not be accepted. The address on the W9 must match the mailing address listed in the application.
- Declaration or Certificate of Insurance for all policies held
- Supporting documentation for claimed damages (insurance adjuster report, vendor estimates)
- Repair estimates for physical structures, equipment, inventory, supply purchases, or actual paid expenses
- Photographs of damaged property (maximum of 5)
- Proof of interest in the damaged property (e.g. property tax bill, deed, lease agreement)
Note
- Preference will be given to applicants with the majority of their operations based in Vermont.
- 10% of funds will be set aside for awards to Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color applicants.
- Applicants who received funding for 2023 flood damage are also eligible to apply for new damage sustained from 2024 flooding.
2023 BEGAP Funding
Deadline
- Applications closed on September 30, 2024.
Eligibility
- Business or nonprofit must have been established before the 2023 flood(s).
- The location for operations and/or assets must have suffered physical damages from the 2023 flood(s).
- The applicant has not already received 2023 BEGAP funding for this property.
Grant Calculation
- 30% of net uncovered damages, up to $50,000.
- “Net uncovered damage” is the remaining unmet need after subtracting any insurance proceeds and other grants or donations used to defray the costs of repairing or replacing damaged assets.
Required Information
- Contact information
- Damaged property location and ownership documentation such as property tax bill, lease
- Federal Employer Tax Identification Number (FEIN)
- Insurance policy information: type of coverage, policy number, agent contact
- Dollar amount of damages anticipated to be recouped through insurance
- Other grants or donations received and used to defray the costs of repairing or replacing those damaged assets
- Description of the impact of the flooding on the applicant
- Damage type and estimated costs for repair/replacement
Required Documentation
- Most recently filed Federal Tax Return (or 990 for nonprofits)
- Please Note: Complete tax returns are required, and documents cannot be password protected.
- Profit and Loss Statement if the business started recently or if the most recent tax return is unavailable
- An updated IRS Form W-9
- Please Note: Documents must be hand-signed in blue or black in within the last year. Digital signatures will not be accepted. The address must match the mailing address listed in the application.
- Declaration or Certificate of Insurance for all policies held
- Supporting documentation for claimed damages (insurance adjuster report, vendor estimates)
- Repair estimates for physical structures, equipment, inventory, supply purchases, or actual paid expenses
- Photographs of damaged property (maximum of 5)
- Proof of interest in the damaged property (e.g. property tax bill, deed, lease agreement)
Note
- 20% of funds will be set aside for awards to Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color applicants.
Supplemental 2023 BEGAP Funding
Deadline
- The deadline for inquiries was September 30, 2024. Applications were sent out to eligible organizations via email.
- Applications were due on November 15, 2024
Eligibility
- The business or nonprofit received 2023 BEGAP funding and has ongoing unmet need.
- The previous BEGAP award must have been less than $500,000.
- The business or nonprofit must have 50 or fewer employees.
Grant Calculation
- Up to $50,000.
- A pro rata calculation to determine amounts will be confirmed following the close of the current round of 2023 BEGAP applications.
- The calculation will be the total funding that remains available (following the close of 2023 Supplemental BEGAP applications on September 30, 2024) divided by the aggregate unmet need of applicants.
Required Information
- Contact information
- Damaged property location and ownership documentation such as property tax bill, lease
- Federal Employer Tax Identification Number (FEIN)
- Insurance policy information: type of coverage, policy number, agent contact
- Dollar amount of damages anticipated to be recouped through insurance
- Other grants or donations received and used to defray the costs of repairing or replacing those damaged assets
- Description of the impact of the flooding on the applicant
- Damage type and estimated costs for repair/replacement
Required Documentation
- Most recently filed Federal Tax Return (or 990 for nonprofits)
- Please Note: Complete tax returns are required, and documents cannot be password protected.
- Profit and Loss Statement if business started recently or if most recent tax return is unavailable
- An updated IRS Form W-9
- Please Note: Documents must be hand-signed in blue or black in within the last six months. Digital signatures will not be accepted. Address must match the mailing address listed in the application.
- Declaration or Certificate of Insurance for all policies held
- Supporting documentation for claimed damages (insurance adjuster report, vendor estimates)
- Repair estimates for physical structures, equipment, inventory, supply purchases or actual paid expenses
- Photographs of damaged property (maximum of 5)
- Proof of interest in the damaged property (e.g. property tax bill, deed, lease agreement)
Note
- 20% of funds will be set aside for awards to Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color applicants.
Translations
If you are a non-English speaker and need translation assistance, please email ACCD.BizFloodGrant@Vermont.gov. You will be connected with state-contracted translation and interpretation services.
Resources
If flood damage has led to a dispute between an organization and its landlord, reach out to the Small Business Advocate at Vermont Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program. You can email them directly at: ago.smallbusiness@vermont.gov.
Questions
For additional questions about the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program please email ACCD.BizFloodGrant@Vermont.gov.
Newsletter
For the latest update on this program and all flood recovery updates from ACCD and DED, sign up for the Severe Storm Recovery Newsletter.