A key deadline looms to seek federal flood relief, and additional local aid is available for businesses. In addition, good news about a local employer that’s given time and supplies to help Wayne County residents affected by the Aug. 12 flooding.
Dot gives $20,000
Dot Foods Inc., which operates a Cambridge City distribution center, has provided food, funding and other resources to local organizations assisting residents with recovery.
In a news release, Dot noted that its employees live throughout the area, including Cambridge City, Hagerstown and Connersville, which all received flood damage. Several employees and their families were directly affected.
Dot gave $10,000 to Cambridge City Christian Church, which served as a central location for donations and continues to offer funds to applicants. It also provided a refrigerated trailer for food storage and donated a truckload of food for residents in need.
Dot also provided $5,000 in food to Nettle Creek Community Coalition in Hagerstown and $5,000 to Fayette County Food Council in Connersville.
“Our employees live in these communities, and we’ve seen firsthand how much work remains,” said Rick Popp, Dot Foods Indiana general manager, in the release. “People are still trying to get back on their feet, and we want to help where we can.”
Managers from Dot’s Cambridge City distribution center helped with cleanup and relief efforts in affected communities in the week after the flood. The company is North America’s largest less-than-truckload consolidator in the food industry, the release said.
As residents continue to recover, Nettle Creek Community Coalition has seen a significant increase in the number of people it serves. Currently needed items include toilet paper, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, floss, shampoo, latex cleaning gloves, pet food and related supplies. They can be dropped off or shipped to 47 E. Main St., Hagerstown, IN 47346.
Chamber offers more grants
Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce has begun accepting applications for its second round of the Business Bridge Grant Program through its Chamber Center for Excellence.
Small businesses can apply for up to $2,500 while funds remain. Previous recipients may apply again.
Second-round funding comes from the Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County and Wayne County government.
Applicants must be located in Wayne County, must employ fewer than 20 people, must have been operating at the time of the flood, must demonstrate direct loss due to flooding and must commit to maintaining operations in Wayne County.
Grants may cover payroll, rent, utilities, inventory replacement, insurance deductibles, temporary relocation costs and other essential business continuity expenses.
Applications will be reviewed based on flood impact, immediate financial need and recovery potential. They are available at the chamber’s website, WCAreaChamber.org/resources.html.
Federal deadline is Oct. 25
Hoosiers seeking FEMA reimbursement for Aug. 12 flood damages must apply for aid or update their existing application by Sunday, Oct. 25.
FEMA recommends having furnaces and water heaters inspected by professionals before that date to assess damage.
Apply at disasterassistance.gov, through FEMA’s app or by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).
FEMA officials urge applicants to answer phone calls coming from unfamiliar numbers because the FEMA inspector might need to schedule an inspection or gather more information.
Legitimate inspectors won’t ask for nine-digit registration numbers, money or bank information.
To avoid fraud, officials advise using licensed or verified local contractors, don’t pay more than half the repair costs in advance, and demand that contractors detail the work with guarantees in writing.
Approved applicants who requested online or mobile payment will receive an email from [email protected]. It doesn’t use a .gov domain, but it is an official site.
SBA loans
The Oct. 25 deadline also approaches for some U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans, including loans to buy cars.
Renters or homeowners can get loans to repair or replace damaged personal property including automobiles (up to $100,000) and real estate (up to $500,000).
No interest accrues and no payments are required during the first year.
Apply at lending.sba.gov, email [email protected] or call 800-659-2955.
A version of this article appeared in the October 21 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
