Kansas Gov. Sebelius: State will help small businesses impacted by flooding

By admin - Posted on August 6th, 2007

State Finance Council approves Governor’s request for $5 million in aid

August 3, 2007 -- Small businesses impacted by flooding in Southeast Kansas will receive help from the state as they seek to rebuild, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius said today, a day after again visiting the area to view recovery efforts.

Sebelius made the announcement following a meeting of the State Finance Council, during which legislative leaders approved her request for $5 million in assistance to area small businesses.

“Getting these businesses up and running again will provide the economic boost needed to get these communities back on their feet,” Sebelius said. “We specifically want to assist small employers since they have a demonstrated commitment to the area and are the economic engines of their communities.”

Assistance will be available to businesses with fewer than 50 workers that incurred physical damage from flooding and wish rebuild in their community. Three main types of assistance will be available:

Investment Assistance: A grant of up to 10 percent of qualifying investment made to rebuild or replace a business facility or business machinery and equipment which was damaged or destroyed by the flood on June 30, 2007 and July 1, 2007. Such investment assistance does not include mobile equipment, such as motor vehicles, or items held for sale, such as business inventory.

Rental Assistance: An assistance grant for the rent paid by a qualified business to lease a temporary business facility within the same community while the permanent facility is being rebuilt. Rental assistance will be granted for a period of up to six months and may not exceed a total of $1,500.

Job Restoration Assistance: A grant of up to $3,500 per qualifying job to a business damaged by the flood or other severe weather on June 30, 2007 and July 1, 2007 that restores an employment position within the same community in one of the affected counties. A qualifying job shall not include any part-time job that provides an employee with less than 20 hours per week of paid employment.

Small businesses in Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Butler, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Coffey, Cowley, Crawford, Edwards, Elk, Franklin, Greenwood, Harper, Labette, Linn, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho, Osage, Pawnee, Wilson and Woodson counties are eligible for the assistance.

Financing will come from the State Emergency Fund and will be awarded by the Southeast Kansas Business Restoration Assistance Program, which is administered by the Kansas Department of Revenue.

Source: Kansas Governor

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