Max Ahmad’s family business, the Sip & Scoop ice cream shop on Main Street in Monroe, had been open barely three weeks this August when a historic rainstorm ruined roads, damaged businesses, displaced residents and claimed at least two lives.
Ahmad, who was working in the shop that day, said he had to position buckets to catch water leaking from the roof as the power flickered. He eventually closed up for the day. When Ahmad went back to survey the damage the next day, he said, the soft-serve machine had gone cold. He couldn’t get it to work.
“Facing that problem right after opening was a big challenge for us,” Ahmad said.
But Sip & Scoop is on its way to recovery.
In early September, the state Department of Economic and Community Development opened up $5 million in funding for grants of up to $25,000 for businesses impacted by the storm. The Women’s Business Development Council, which is administering the grants, has received hundreds of applications and distributed $3.8 million in grants so far. (It’s still accepting applications through its website here.)
DECD Commissioner Dan O’Keefe, speaking at a press conference Tuesday, said he was pleased with how “quickly” and “decisively” Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration worked to get funding to his agency for the micro-grant program. DECD originally estimated around 200 businesses would need assistance but over 300 have applied, and O’Keefe said they plan to expand the program. “We are not going to turn away a business in need,” he said.
“If you’ve been impacted by these events, you are not alone. We are here,” O’Keefe said. “We are not going anywhere. We continue to work with you as you seek to recover and rebuild.”
Sip & Scoop applied for and received a grant through the program. “With the help, we’re going to order a replacement for the soft-serve machine,” Ahmad said. “So I’m very thankful for that, and we are open for business.”
Aside from DECD, federal agencies are also offering financial assistance.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has three different assistance programs to help cover the costs of home repairs, rental assistance and cash for emergency needs like food, medication and other essentials. Each program offers up to $42,500. FEMA is accepting applications through its website disasterassistance.gov.
And low-interest loans are available through the federal Small Business Administration to cover physical damage to homes or businesses and to mitigate the cost of economic injury from flooding — if a business had to close down for an extended period, for example. SBA is operating two “Business Recovery Centers” to assist applicants, at the Monroe Police Department and Oxford Town Hall. (More information is available here.)
Local, federal and state officials gathered for Tuesday’s press conference outside the Monroe Police Department, where they explained the various programs and encouraged residents to apply.
“It’s been a difficult time for our community and other communities, and this is another step towards recovery,” Monroe First Selectman Terrence Rooney said.
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., pointed out that many residents and businesses didn’t have flood insurance, which meant state and federal agencies had to step in.
“We ought to be demanding more of our insurance companies,” Blumenthal said. “They are hiding behind the fine print of no flood insurance. Well, from a moral standpoint, if not a legal one, they can and they must do better.”
Brenda Bergeron, deputy commissioner of the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, said more than 1,000 FEMA applications for individual assistance have been filed so far, and FEMA has dispensed over $3 million. A team of 14 FEMA investigators is processing the claims and visiting with applicants. FEMA is also setting up disaster recovery centers in Southbury and Wilton, which are opening this week.
“It’s very important that you register with FEMA, you give them the information that they need,” Bergeron said. “They will come out and see you.”
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, said he’s been told FEMA is moving quickly, with inspectors visiting homes within two to three days of the individual application and disbursing funds three days or so after that.
“The critical thing is that people know that is available and that they do the documentation of the damage that will allow them to very quickly get the aid,” Himes said.
The deadline to file for physical damage relief is Nov. 19, and the deadline for economic injury assistance is June 20, 2025.
Last week, Congress passed a continuing resolution to keep the government funded through Dec. 20. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, said that will ensure funds are available for victims of the flooding disasters.
“It will be my goal over the next several weeks, as we deliberate on these appropriations bills, to prioritize funding for infrastructure and for disaster relief,” DeLauro said.
“It is the responsibility of the federal government to help state and local governments to respond to disasters that exceed their capabilities, and to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy and a more resilient infrastructure that can mitigate damage for the future,” she added.
Lamont thanked the Congressional delegation for doing its part.
“I’m really proud that the federal government is stepping up, stepping up in a big way,” he said. “They were here within weeks. They were there assessing the damage, making sure Connecticut, almost immediately, got that disaster declaration that puts us to the front of the line,” he said.