grants for small business

TALIA CLARKE IS IN DOWNTOWN HALLOWELL TALIA ? THE KENNEBEC RIVER IS NOTORIOUS FOR FLOODING.. WHICH HAS PUT SOME OF THE BUSINESSES IN DOWNTOWN HALLOWELL AT RISK. THAT’S WHERE THIS COMMISSION COMES IN – – THEIR MAIN GOAL IS TO PROTECT AREAS OF THE STATE FROM FUTURE STORMS. LAST YEAR’S WINTER STORMS CAUSED AN ESTIMATED 90-MILLION- DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO HOMES, BUSINESSES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INFRASTRUCTURE. THE MAINE INFRASTRUCTURE REBUILDING AND RESILIENCE COMMISSION HAS BEEN TRAVELING AROUND MAINE TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHALLENGES THOSE WINTER STORMS CREATED. RICH FRISCIA IS THE OWNER OF A LOCAL BUSINESS IN DOWNTOWN HALLOWELL THAT WAS LIFTED FROM ITS FOUNDATION BY FLOOD WATERS IN DECEMBER. 20;31;58 “IT TOOK US ABOUT 3 THE MAINE LEGISLATURE PASSED A 60-MILLION-DOLLAR STORM RECOVERY PACKAGE. FRISCIA WAS ONE OF ABOUT 100 BUSINESS OWNERS TO RECEIVE A GRANT TO SECURE THE BUILDING.. USE WATER RESISTANT WOOD.. AND ADD FLOOD VENTS. 20;34;16 “IT WAS THE EXACT AMOUNT BETWEEN WHAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS WILLING TO PAY AND WHAT OUR EXPENSES ARE.” THE REPORT THE COMMISSION RELEASED TODAY INCLUDES IMMEDIATE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS WINTER.. LIKE IMPROVING EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION.. AND LONG-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS LIKE MAXIMIZING THE USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO MAKE INFRASTRUCTURE MORE RESILIENT FOR FUTURE STORMS. 20;41;45 “THOSE 3 STORMS IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY WERE OVERWHELMING.. I THINK WE FELT LIKE OH MY GOSH NOT ANOTHER STORM.. AND I THINK MAINE PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED FOR THE FUTURE.” THE COMMISSION IS ALSO CONSIDERING WAYS TO IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS TO BENEFIT MAINE HOMEOWNERS. 20;42;29 “THERE ARE PROPOSALS THAT AGAIN HAVEN’T BEEN IMPLEMENTED BUT WOULD LOOK AT HOW DO WE HELP HOMES BECOME MORE RESILIENT.. WHETHER ITS BIG TREE NEXT TO YOUR HOUSE THAT MIGHT FALL ON IT OR HOW DO YOU MOVE YOUR FURNACE OUT OF YOUR BASEMENT WHERE IT OFTEN FLOODS, THERE ARE THINGS HOMEOWNERS CAN DO TO LOWER THEIR INSURANCE RATES. INSURANCE RATES ARE ALSO GOING UP BECAUSE OF ALL OF THESE EXTREME STORM EVENTS.” THE COMMISSION’S REPORT WAS FILLED WITH RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WILL BE DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR JANET MILLS TODAY.. AND THEN THE LEGISLATURE WILL DECIDE WHAT THEY CAN DO FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIV