Event will link small businesses, nonprofits with Sandy aid

Federal and state officials next Monday will discuss aid programs available to small businesses and not-for-profit groups that were harmed by superstorm Sandy.

The Dec. 17 event, which begins at 9:15 a.m., will be held at the Baldwin Public Library, 2385 Grand Ave. Representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Small Business Administration, Empire State Development Corp. and New York State Small Business Development Centers are expected to participate.

The event has been organized by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola). She said, “A lot of people don’t know what kind of aid is available to their businesses and organizations. And many who do have been too busy getting their property in order to apply.”

Those planning to attend the aid workshop should call 516-739-3008 or email Jessica.montgomery@mail.house.gov.

McCarthy said she is among a group of politicians calling on the federal government to extend the Dec. 31 deadline for applying for federal emergency help.

Here is a list of aid sources available for small businesses.

Loans:

U.S. Small Business Administration, 631-454-0750 or www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants/small-business-loans/disaster-loans

NYS Fund, 1-855-697-SANDY or www.esd.ny.gov/StormRecovery.asp

Counseling:

NYS Small Business Development Centers, 1-800-732-7232 or www.nyssbdc.org/

Sales tax exemption for repairs:

Nassau County Industrial Development Agency, 516-571-1745 or nassauida.org/Public/Nassau-County-Business-Resources

Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency, 631-853-4802 or www.suffolkida.org/post/click-here-for-sales-tax-relief-program-overview/

Loss of income:

U.S. Department of Labor, http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/disaster.asp

Pictured above: Vanessa Estevez, of Rockville Centre, stands in her family's business, Long Beach Food Center, in Island Park. High winds ripped the door from the establishment and flooded the store when superstorm Sandy hit.