Disaster Assistance for Small Businesses

Our hearts go out to all the folks in Texas affected by the recent Hurricane Harvey.  We're also keeping our fingers crossed and thoughts for all those that will likely be affected by Irma.

If you are a business owner, a natural disaster can ruin your business in a second.  What are some ways to plan for the unexpected?
1)  Have a disaster plan.  What if you and your business had to be evacuated?  Would you be able to run your business remotely? Where are your files stored? What about your assets?  Make sure to back up your files securely, ideally in the cloud and with a physical copy.

2) Make sure you have adequate insurance.  There is insurance available for nearly every kind of occurrence.  There is business interruption insurance that will cover lost income while a business is closed due to disaster.  This kind of insurance can keep your business alive after a catastrophe like fire or flood.

3) Reach out for help before you need it.  Don't wait until you're 6 feet underwater to get to know your local business resources.  It's super helpful to establish a relationship with your local Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Administration Office or SCORE chapter.  In the event of a disaster, any of these organizations may be able to guide you to much needed resources.  Don't forget your bank! You never know when you  might need an emergency loan or line of credit. Maintaining good banking relations can speed up the process.

For folks in Texas, SCORE released a list of Business Recovery Centers, copied below:

HARRIS COUNTY 
HOUSTON
Business Recovery Center (BRC)
University of Houston - Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Region Office
2302 Fannin Street, 3rd Floor
Houston, TX 77002
 
Mondays - Fridays
   8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturdays - Sundays
   9:00 am - 4:00 pm
 
 
NUECES COUNTY
PORT ARANSAS
Business Recovery Center (BRC)
Port Aransas Community Center
408 Alister Street
  (Next to the Museum)
Port Aransas, TX 78373
 
Mondays - Fridays
   8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturdays - Sundays
   9:00 am - 4:00 pm

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