In light of the hundreds of small businesses that have been victims of flooding and coastal erosion along the Lake Ontario shoreline in recent weeks, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced that a $5 million grant fund has been established that gives businesses the opportunity to secure up to $20,000 each to repair and replace damaged property. The funds can also be used to replace furniture, supplies, inventory and fixtures and applications will be made available. In addition, Hawley is encouraging affected residents to visit one of the New York State Mobile Command Centers that will be open this weekend. “While thousands of residents have been affected by this terrible flooding and weather as of late, we mustn’t forget our local campground, marina and yacht club owners who will struggle to survive this summer,” Hawley said. “These businesses rely on tourism and traffic as their lifeblood during the warmer months, and helping them repair and recover is one of my top priorities. I look forward to helping business owners access these funds when applications become available and I encourage them to contact my office with questions and concerns.”