FEMA offers seminar for business recovery after tornadoes

After a disaster hits, businesses need help too, either with recovery or with preparations to better withstand the next disaster. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is bringing together a team of federal and state specialists to inform businesses and nonprofits of the various programs designed just for them.

A "Back-to-Business Workshop" is scheduled for July 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the NorthWest Arkansas Community College's Shewmaker Center For Global Business Development in Bentonville. Hosted by the Business Emergency Operations Center and the Benton County Department of Emergency Management, the workshop has two objectives: addressing issues involved in disaster recovery, and exploring how state and federal agencies can help businesses prepare for future disasters.

"Businesses have a major role to play in restoring Arkansas to health. Getting businesses up and running is a vital part of helping the entire community recover from a disaster," said Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer W. Michael Moore.

This free workshop will offer pointers on mitigation that will aid the business community in improving their strategies for handling the next disaster. It will feature the U.S. Small Business Administration, FEMA's Hazard Mitigation, National Flood Insurance and Individual Assistance programs, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Department of Farm Services, the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center and the Arkansas Insurance Department. Each agency will provide experts for one-on-one exchanges with workshop participants.

"Every business owner can benefit from this workshop, whether their business suffered losses this time or not," said State Coordinating Officer David Maxwell of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management. "If they suffered losses, they'll find the information on recovery resources useful. If they escaped damages, they can learn how to help others get back on their feet."

For further information about the workshop, or to register, email Raymond.Palmer@fema.gov.