Chamber Post in Partnership With FEMA: BACK TO BUSINESS AT THE SHORE Helping Small Businesses Get Back On Their Feet: Gov. Christie visited three small businesses on the Jersey Shore that were recently awarded grants from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) “Stronger NJ Grant” Program to assist in their rebuilding efforts. Launched in May, the program focuses on the most impacted communities throughout the state by offering grants and forgivable loans to Sandy-impacted small businesses or non-profit organizations. In order to be eligible for a “Stronger NJ Grant” of up to $50,000, you must be a New Jersey-based small business or non-profit organization that sustained a minimum of $5,000 in physical damage from Super Storm Sandy. To date, 200 applications have been submitted, 22 have been approved, $1.2 million of grant funds have been approved and $247,067 has been disbursed to eight businesses. In addition, the NJEDA also administers the “Stronger NJ Business Loan” Program. Businesses and non-profits that were impacted by Super Storm Sandy, as well as businesses looking to expand within storm-impacted communities, can apply for low-cost loans of up to $5 million per eligible location. These two programs build on Gov. Christie’s continued commitment to helping storm-impacted businesses and communities recover from Super Storm Sandy: By The Numbers: The Recovery Since Sandy $5,300,000,000 Total Federal assistance to New Jersey $3,500,000,000 National Flood Insurance Program payments made on claims to date $1,829,520,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery funds provided by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) $1,000,000,000 Federal money set aside for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Shore Protection Projects $798,500,000 SBA Disaster Loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses $624,700,000 FEMA Public Assistance grants to communities and some nonprofit organizations that serve the public $402,200,000 FEMA grants approved for New Jersey individuals and households $300,000,000 Federal money available to buy out Sandy-damaged and repetitively flood-damaged homes $37,000,000 Financial commitments to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund. $26,000,000 Employer-focused grants made available through the Hire New Jersey Recovery Plan. $15,600,000 National Emergency Grants to fund the Christie Administration’s plan to hire unemployed New Jersey residents to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts: $11,000,000 Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund grants awarded. $126,751 Housing inspections completed $29,000 Donors to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund EO 125 Created an accountable, transparent process to ensure the integrity of the use of federal reconstruction resources EO 107 Protected homeowners by prohibiting insurance companies from imposing costly deductibles on New Jersey homeowners: 96% Total insured claims closed including: homeowners, commercial property, personal auto, commercial auto, business interruption and others 90% Federal cost-share for projects funded by FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program 79% Total flood claims closed HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW EMERGENCY FACTS? (TRUE / FALSE): 1. Can being in a car help protect you from lightning? 2. Should every household have the exact same type of disaster preparedness kit? (ANSWERS CAN BE FOUND BELOW) DON’T LET A DISASTER PUT YOU OUT OF BUSINESS: How much damage a tornado, hurricane or other disaster does to your bottom line depends on emergency planning done now. Reduce the risks to your employees and your business by getting answers to a few questions. 1. What are the risks? Find out the types of disasters most likely to occur in your community. Go to ready.gov to learn what to do during a biological, chemical explosive, nuclear or radiological attack. 2. Are your employees prepared for an emergency? Include emergency preparedness information in the company newsletter, set up a telephone calling tree and stock emergency supplies. A list of recommended emergency supplies can be downloaded at: ready.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/checklist3.pdf 3. Do you have an evacuation plan? Post maps for quick reference by employees and visitors. Designate an assembly area outside the workplace. 4. Do you have a plan to shelter-in-place? Determine where to take shelter during a tornado. Determine the location where it is easiest to “seal the room” should there be a chemical attack. 5. Do you have a continuity plan? Review your organizational chart and establish procedures for succession of management. Make a list of key suppliers, shippers and other resources and line up alternatives. A sample business emergency plan can be downloaded at: ready.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/sampleplan.pdf 6. When did you last review insurance coverage? Check with your insurance carrier about flood insurance, business interruption insurance and deductibles. TAKE STEPS TO ERADICATE MOLD: Now that summer has arrived, New Jersey residents may be looking in closets, garages and other storage spaces for seasonal items that have been packed away since last September. As you search for items you need for the summer season, be on the lookout for signs of mold in areas of your home and property that may have been impacted by Superstorm Sandy. Mold growth may be hidden above ceilings, behind walls, in attics and basements or crawl spaces. Look for the tell-tale signs of mold, which include staining on walls and ceilings or a pungent, musty smell. The persistence of mold can be the most long-lasting after-effect of a storm, and it can pose a health hazard for some people. Exposure to mold can cause nasal and throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. If you experienced leaks, flooding or dampness in your home or business during Superstorm Sandy, it is important to perform a thorough inspection to be sure there are no lingering mold hazards. Mold can occur as a result of plumbing leaks, leaking roofs or windows, high humidity, flooding or condensation inside walls because of poor insulation. Excessive moisture is the key condition that allows molds to grow. Molds are fungi that occur naturally in the environment. But they may cause problems when they grow inside homes and buildings. Some building materials such as drywall, ceiling tiles and wood framing contain cellulose, which is a material on which molds can grow. Because it feeds off cellulose, mold can weaken studs, joists and other structures, causing extensive property damage. For areas less than 100 sq. feet that may be affected by mold growth, a homeowner or building maintenance worker may be able to eradicate the problem. If the mold-affected area is larger than 100 sq. feet, it is best to hire a contractor who is experienced in mold remediation. Where to Look for Mold: • Any area where moisture is present or flooding has occurred • Basements, crawl spaces and attics What to look for: • Discoloration on walls or ceiling that continues to grow or change color • A pungent, musty smell. May also have no odor. Eliminating Mold • Identify and correct the source of moisture • Remove and/or clean mold-contaminated materials • Ensure that the area is completely dry before doing any renovation or construction work • Wear gloves, a respirator, protective clothing and goggles when removing mold The New Jersey Department of Health has released Mold Guidelines for New Jersey Residents, a pamphlet created to provide direction to residents on addressing mold in homes in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. The pamphlet addresses a number of topics including mold-related health concerns, how to inspect for mold and tools and techniques for cleanup. New Jersey residents can receive copies of the pamphlet by visiting: nj.gov/health/er/hurricane_recovery_resources.shtml or calling 609-826-4950. INFORMATION CONTACTS: General Information: Regarding FEMA programs, informational brochures, and general interest topics: fema.gov. Flood Insurance Helpline: floodsmart.gov or 877-287-9804 (8:00A.M. - 4:30 P.M.) Have insurance policy information ready including, carrier and policy number. Advisory Base Flood Elevation: region2coastal/sandy/table Enter the address of your home and/or business and click. FEMA’s Map Service Center: msc.fema.gov View your community’s flood hazard maps. Fraud Information: Report fraud to FEMA fraud hotline 1-800-323-8603 or NJ Division of Consumer Affairs 1-800-242-5846. Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce: 908-766-6755. Bernardstwpregionalchamber.org https://facebook/BernardsTownshipRegionalChamberOfCommerce Industry Liaison Program: The ILP establishes strategic relationships with vendor supported industry partners and stakeholders; serves as an information provider for vendors seeking to do business with FEMA; and connects vendors with program offices in support of FEMA’s mission. 202-646-1895; fema.gov/about-industry-liaison-program. HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW EMERGENCY FACTS? (ANSWERS): 1. True Rubber tires are not good conductors of electricity. 2. False The contents of a disaster kit utilized for staying or leaving a residence are determined by a number of factors such as climate, time of year, type of disaster, pets, household, medical needs, whether there is power, etc. NEW JERSEY METRICS OF CLOSE OF BUSINESS, AS OF JULY 09, 2013 • U.S. Small Business Administration total approved disaster loans to businesses........................ $176,647,000 • Current deadline for SBA business economic injury disaster loan application ............................. July 31, 2013 Your Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce Works for You!
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 12:44:24 +0000
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