Economic Development Recovery and Resiliency Playbook - Flipbook - Page 89
As the report indicates, these principles provide a useful foundation for local governments and their economic development
staf to consider as they design for, measure, and manage resilience; in particular, it is important to highlight the value of
diversity as part of a broader resiliency strategy. Following a disaster, businesses ofen have an opportunity to redesign their
workforce. Such a redesign ofers an opportunity to incorporate diverse perspectives and talents to help address operational
blind spots that are ofen exacerbated during a disaster. In addition, small businesses advancing on the path of recovery have
the ability to step into their role of proactive community agent by leveraging operational restructuring to help build a more
inclusive economy, whether by increasing diverse hires or adopting a policy to work with suppliers that represent disadvantaged
firms seeking their own path to recovery.
It is important to highlight the value of diversity as part of a broader resiliency strategy.
The HBR guide points to multiple potential benefits to encouraging and supporting small businesses in adopting these
principles. These benefits include:
• Anticipation — the ability to recognize threats faster;
• Impact — the ability to better resist or withstand the initial shock of a disaster incident. This can be achieved through
better preparation or a more agile response;
• Recovery speed — the ability to rebound from the shock more quickly by identifying and implementing the adjustments
needed to return to the prior operating level; and
• Outcomes — the increased readiness for the new post-shock environment.
An additional resource that local governments may use to aid long-term recovery for residents is a Long-Term Recovery Group
(LTRG). The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster defines LTRG as a cooperative body composed of representatives
from faith-based, nonprofit, government, business, and other organizations working in a community to assist individuals and
families as they recover from disaster.110 In addition, LTRGs are ofen described as a group that works to address “unmet needs.”
The structure and operation of an LTRG depends on the nature of the crisis and the community that they serve. The LTRG’s
primary objectives include:
• Identifying individuals and families with unmet needs in the community;
• Providing case management to prioritize how those needs will be met; and
• Delivering goods, services, and funds to meet those needs.
LTRGs comprise stakeholders who are committed to the community’s recovery and have the necessary authority to take
meaningful action to address priorities. The governance structure and policies of LTRGs take many forms in order to meet the
demands of the situation. The adaptability and community-centric nature of LTRGs make them an attractive tool to address the
needs of vulnerable business segments.
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https://www.nvoad.org/wp-content/uploads/longtermrecoveryguide-final2012.pdf
Recovery Deep Dive: Engaging Businesses Before, During, and After Disruption
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