Economic Development Recovery and Resiliency Playbook - Flipbook - Page 95
These funds may be used for:
• Business repair, modernization, or development;
• Purchase and development of land, easements, or buildings;
• Purchase of equipment, supplies, or inventory;
• Debt refinancing that results in job creation; and
• Business and industrial acquisitions that keep a business from closing, or save or create jobs.
Applications are accepted from lenders year-round. Interested borrowers should ask their lender about the program. Lenders
interested in participating in this program should contact the USDA Rural Development Program Director for California or any
USDA Rural Development local ofice.
Other USDA Programs. The Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) provides low-interest loans to local intermediaries that
relend to businesses or provide funds for community development projects in rural areas. Businesses can borrow up to $250,000
or 75% of the total project cost. IRP lender lists can be obtained from any USDA Rural Development ofice.
The Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development
Organizations (MDOs) that provide microloans for microenterprise startups and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving
Fund. MDOs also provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and microentrepreneurs. MDO lender lists
can be obtained from any USDA Rural Development ofice.
Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training,
and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas that have
fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues. Programmatic activities are separated into enterprise or
opportunity type grant activities. Eligible applicants include communities, state agencies, authorities, nonprofit corporations,
institutions of higher education, and federally recognized Tribes.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Business Emergency Operations Center and
Benefits of Membership
The National Business Emergency Operations Center (NBEOC) is FEMA’s virtual clearinghouse to enhance information
sharing between private industry partners and public agencies — including FEMA — before, during, and afer disasters.
When there is an active disaster response, NBEOC members have unique lines of communication into FEMA’s National Response
Coordination Center, activated Regional Response Coordination Centers, and the broader network of emergency management
operations, including state and federal partners.
The NBEOC allows members to share knowledge from the field impacting operating status and recovery challenges. It also
provides data to help with business continuity decisions and provides integration with disaster planning, training, and exercises.
Any multi-state private sector organizations may volunteer to take part in the NBEOC. This includes large businesses, chambers
of commerce, trade associations, universities, think tanks, and nonprofits.
Benefits of NBEOC membership include the following.
NBEOC Dashboard. A web-based portal that provides real-time information including the latest incident updates, situationtargeted preparedness messaging, response and recovery resources, and appropriate government points of contact.
NBEOC Service Desk. The service desk provides a single customer portal so NBEOC members can communicate, track
information meeting requests, and submit ofers of support.
Business Preparedness. Ready Business provides tools and resources for businesses to prepare in advance for disaster.
Training. The NBEOC training web page provides an overview of emergency management training opportunities available at
the Emergency Management Institute, Center for Domestic Preparedness and the National Training and Education Division.
Tools for Implementation
87
