Economic Development Recovery and Resiliency Playbook - Flipbook - Page 86
Tools for Post-Disaster Business Recovery Outreach and Support
In the weeks following the Thomas Fire, the Southern California region experienced heavy rain that resulted in sudden flooding
and debris flows. In addition to causing the deaths of 23 residents and destroying more than 100 homes, the Montecito Debris
Flow, as it came to be known, pushed its way onto U.S. Highway 101. As a result, many impacted business owners found
themselves landlocked and unable to reach an LAC. In response, the EDC, which also serves as the local SBDC, deployed
business advisors to impacted communities to search out impacted business owners that were unable to reach the LACs for
assistance. This was a door-to-door efort in various business and retail districts. The EDC also relied on phone calls and email to
conduct remote business consultation and provide advice.
Technical assistance networks often have established agreements with their funders
to serve as points of contact in the event of major disasters and simply need to be
incorporated into local or state recovery planning.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of California relied heavily on federally funded technical assistance programs such
as the California SBDC Network, the Minority Business Development Centers, Women Business Centers, and other resource
partners to help small businesses apply to state-funded relief programs and address pivoting and survival strategies. Many of
these groups are available to assist local governments in their business response and recovery eforts as well, and this includes
augmenting the work already being done by city and county economic development staf.
These technical assistance networks can be leveraged
to provide multiple service points across a disasterimpacted area and — given their role as go-to resource
agents for small businesses — can quickly help
disseminate key information to a broad and diverse
population of small business owners. Ofen, these
partners have established agreements with their
funders to serve as points of contact in the event of
major disasters and simply need to be incorporated
into local or state recovery planning. It is important to
note that some of these providers may be prohibited
from sharing detailed information on the businesses
they assist and may share only aggregated outcomes.
Local business-serving organizations such as
chambers of commerce, Business Improvement
Districts, and business associations can ofen be the
bridge between technical assistance providers and
business owners. They can also ofer simultaneous or
complementary services. Jurisdictions can help bring
these folks together before a disruption so they will be
prepared to work together and with local government
when a disruption occurs.
Signage directs community members to the Santa Rosa Local
Assistance Center’s location.
The importance of grassroots communications tactics and strategies. Grassroots communications can provide an
efective method for quickly establishing a wide information network. The key to success is mobilizing small businesses to share
important news and information on available resources through their peer networks.
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CALED | Economic Development Recovery and Resiliency Playbook
