In the early morning hours of Thursday, July 28, 2022, several counties in Southeastern Kentucky were devastated by flood waters far exceeding the historic flooding that occurred just last year.
We are keeping this page up to date with all the latest information we have.
Please note this webpage is catered to assistance available for small businesses and organizations. If you would like to find a comprehensive list of information for individuals or places to donate or volunteer, please visit this list (compiled and updated frequently by our partners at Appalshop).
Work one-on-one with a consultant:
Our Business Support Services program is currently open to businesses and organizations that were impacted by the flooding. Mountain Association can hire a consultant to work one-on-one with you in your business recovery. Approved projects could include accounting/finance support, business coaching, strategic planning, marketing/crowdfunding training, and other additional industry-specific consultants you believe would be helpful in your recovery. Apply here or contact Jimmy Owsley at 859-671-0227 / jimmy@mtassociation.org with questions.
Funding for local governments/public agencies and nonprofits:
Our partner Vision Granted developed a list of funding opportunities and grants for the Floyd County Long-Term Recovery Group and offered to share it with others seeking funding for flood relief. This is a living document, so to suggest revisions or request access to edit the spreadsheet, email: visiongrantedconsulting@gmail.com
Grants for individuals/families, as well as small farms and businesses:
The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky is offering grants to the following groups: $250 for individuals/families, and up to $10,000 for small farms, small businesses and more, here.
Community Farm Alliance grants. Deadline: Sunday, April 27th at 11:59 p.m. ET. Family-owned farms/cooperative farms with no more than 10 employees; Growing/producing food/edible products, including hay and silage for livestock; Have sales greater than $1,000 per year. Counties: Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Clinton, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Whitley, and Wolfe https://bit.ly/ekygrantapp
Grants for restaurants / employees:
If your restaurant is experiencing hardship due to the flooding, has three stores or less, employs fewer than 50 employees per location, and has had revenues of $3M or less per location in the last 12 months, apply for a $10,000 grant at doordash.helloalice.com
Southern Smoke Foundation funds people in the food & beverage industry in crisis, including those facing a natural disaster. This is for restaurant & bar workers, baristas, farmers, ranchers, winemakers, distillers, brewers, etc. Details on aid.
Grants for artists:
CERF+ is a nonprofit offering emergency relief grants for materials-based craft and folk/traditional artists that experienced a recent, career threatening emergency, such as an illness, accident, fire or climate related disaster. Apply here.
Kentucky Arts Council has compiled a list of information available for musicians, actors, and other types of artists here.
Loans from the SBA and Mountain Association:
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low interest loans for those impacted by flooding. Interest rates are as low as 3.04 for businesses and 1.875 percent for nonprofit organizations. Please find details here.
Because we know the above options may take many days to sort through and get funds in your account, we want to provide an option to business owners and nonprofit leaders who need to cover expenses quickly. Eligible businesses & organizations can apply for a flood relief loan from Mountain Association for up to $5,000. Please find information here: https://mtassociation.org/lending/flood-relief/
FEMA assistance:
Find information on how to apply for FEMA support here. This is for uninsured or underinsured damage. It is said that having contractor quotes for the repairs needed is essential to getting more funding.
Wage reimbursements:
If your business or organization is supporting relief work, you may be able to get wage reimbursements for up to 12 months from Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program. Find details here.
Rebates and tax credits for efficient appliances and building materials:
There are many new incentives available through the Inflation Reduction Act both for equipment and building materials. For example, families needing to replace air conditioners, water heaters, or furnaces can save up to 30% with tax credits for efficient heating and cooling equipment. There are incentives for business owners and nonprofits, including some direct rebate and cash payment options. Read more here or contact Carrie with our energy team at carrie@mtassociation.org with questions..
Sales tax refunds:
Kentuckians in counties included in the federal disaster declaration for individual assistance are eligible to request a refund of Kentucky sales and use tax paid on the purchase of building materials.
The materials must be permanently installed to repair or replace structures damaged by flooding. The sales tax refunds are good for purchases made on or after the date of the disaster declaration for individual relief up to $6,000 in tax per building. More details and link to KY Revenue site here.
Supply Pick-up and Clean-up support:
Appalshop has a comprehensive list available of all the places offering supplies and clean-up support here.
**IMPORTANT: Please find this fact sheet on the proper way to mitigate mold. Note: bleach is NOT sufficient.
Free Legal Support:
AppalRed is providing free support for individuals on several items related to recovery, including FEMA appeals, unemployment insurance, SNAPP and other benefits programs, etc: https://t.co/kMrys4mEH0
Disaster Unemployment Assistance:
Residents who plan to file a claim for Disaster Unemployment Assistance should first file a traditional unemployment insurance claim. Information here.
Get your questions answered:
Any small business is invited to join this private Facebook page monitored by the Kentucky Small Business Development Center, along with Mountain Association and many other partners.
Our hearts are with our mountain communities.
– Mountain Association staff
