October 2003 - Disaster Preparedness and Recovery
Virginia SBDCs Resource to Business
Virginia SBDCs (
www.virginiasbdc.org/statemap.html) can help businesses connect to local, state and federal resources available to help with recovery from the effects of Hurricane Isabel. This message contains selected Internet links on business disaster preparedness and recovery, with particular information relating to Hurricane Isabel. It is not intended to be complete or authoritative guidance on any of these topics, merely a starting place for individuals and small businesses in the Commonwealth of Virginia to begin their information search. Please rely on your local, state, or Federal officials for official guidance, instructions, and direction, and contact them with any questions that you might have.
Disaster Recovery Centers
Disaster Recovery Centers have been established and are open to assist those who suffered losses and damages from Hurricane Isabel. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Commonwealth of Virginia and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will provide information on disaster recovery programs. Additional Disaster Recovery Centers will open in affected areas within the next two weeks---visit FEMA and Virginia Department of Emergency Services for current information.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Businesses seeking disaster recovery assistance are encouraged to contact FEMA to register their request - 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit
www.fema.gov
Declared Counties for Virginia Hurricane Isabel - 99 Jurisdications Included in Disaster Declaration
www.fema.gov/news/eventcounties.fema?id=2424
Response and Recovery - Includes a business checklist for post-disaster recovery.
www.fema.gov/about/process/
The Disaster Assistance Process for Individuals
www.fema.gov/about/process/
U.S. Small Business Administration
www.sba.gov/disaster_recov If you suffered any disaster related damage due to Hurricane Isabel you may be eligible for federal disaster assistance. Individuals that are Homeowners and Renters must register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to obtain a FEMA Registration ID Number by calling 1-800-621-3362. The speech or hearing impaired may call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.
Businesses may apply directly to the Small Business Administration for possible disaster assistance for losses due to Hurricane Isabel. The Virginia SBDCs will help business owners complete their Disaster Loan applications, and also help them connect to resources.
How Do You Apply for a SBA Disaster Loan After Hurricane Isabel?
Filing Deadline for applications for physical damage to homes, personal property, businesses: November 17, 2003
www.sba.gov/disaster_recov/loaninfo/isabel.html
Physical Disaster Business Loans - Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster damages to property owned by the business, including real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and supplies. Businesses of any size are eligible. Nonprofit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc. are also eligible.
www.sba.gov/disaster_recov/loaninfo/phydisaster.html
Economic Injury Disaster Business Loans - Loans for working capital to small businesses and small agricultural cooperatives to assist them through the disaster recovery period. EIDL assistance is available only to applicants with no Credit Available Elsewhere - if the business and its owners cannot provide for their own recovery from non-government sources.
www.sba.gov/disaster_recov/loaninfo/ecoinjury.html
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Emergency Loan Assistance to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters, or quarantine. For information, visit
www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/disaster/emloan.htm.
Virginia Department of Taxation
Virginia Tax Commissioner Announces Relief for Hurricane Isabel Victims - Monthly filers whose August returns were due on September 22 will get an extension until October 20 for filing and paying tax. Applies to Sales and Use Tax Returns, Withholding Tax Returns. Filers subject to other state taxes administered by Department of Taxation with due dates between September 19 and September 30 have an automatic filing extension of 30 days. For details visit
www.tax.state.va.us/site.cfm?alias=PressRelease#HurricaneIsabel.
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
For updates and information on recovery efforts, visit
www.vdem.state.va.us/.
American Red Cross Guidance for Business and Industry
www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/busi_industry.html
Selected commercial disaster preparedness links:
Institute for Home and Business Safety
www.ibhs.org/property_protection/default.asp?id=1
Additional Preparedness, Recovery Links
www.chambersolutions.com/saftnet/resources.php
About Us
The Virginia SBDC network is the most extensive business development program in the Commonwealth with 29 local SBDCs providing professional business counseling, training and information resources to help grow and strengthen Virginia businesses. For established firms, emerging companies or aspiring entrepreneurs, the Virginia SBDC is the place where business comes to talk business. Business owners and managers can count on professional guidance, experienced insight, practical solutions and respect for confidentiality when they work with a local SBDC. The network is a strategic alliance between the U.S. Small Business Administration, Mason Enterprise Center of George Mason University, educational institutions, chambers of commerce and economic development organizations.
