Hurricane Harvey Delivered Important Lessons

Hurricane Harvey Delivered Important Lessons
 
HOUSTON—There were many images of residents wading in deep water and homes being gutted after the flood waters receded. What we have seen less of are the images of damaged businesses and the domino effect business interruption has on the lives of employees and business owners. Our local jobs are the drivers of our local economy and an interruption in employment and business operation can be devastating for families and their livelihood. Lessons learned through this and previous disasters have been an education for the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce and the community.
 
Lesson #1
The Small Business Administration reports that after a disaster like Harvey, 40 % of businesses affected will not survive. The Houston Northwest Chamber has accepted this as a challenge, to see that businesses in northwest Harris County survive at a much higher rate.
 
Lesson #2
Not many businesses have flood insurance or enough flood insurance. Or they may have deductibles that are staggering. This financial gap after a disaster can mean the difference between business survival and business closure.
 
Lesson #3
Too many businesses have not planned for disaster or recovery. The Chamber can provide resources to aid businesses in disaster preparedness. Business continuation depends on it.
 
Lesson #4
All businesses should register with FEMA and subsequently with the SBA. They may never activate a disaster loan with the SBA, but this action places a pinpoint on our community map that can go a long way to activate federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) that can help rebuild an area. Businesses should do this whether they had flood damage or simply business interruption losses.
 
Lesson #5
FEMA does not presently reimburse Harris County for the collection of debris on commercial or church properties. This means that companies and non-profits are required to remove the debris and then file the expense on their insurance if they have it.
 
Lesson #6
There are NO grants available for business disaster recovery. The SBA offers low-interest loans and businesses can even use these to pay off higher interest loans, in addition to rebuilding their business. There is an expected delay between the time a business files and disbursement, so in an effort to increase a business’ chance of survival, the Houston Northwest Chamber enacted an online giving site to raise funds for business recovery within the zip codes the Chamber serves.
 
The online site is www.YouCaring.com/SupportNWHarris . In two weeks, $4,500 was raised and subsequently disbursed to companies that applied for a mini-grant. The fund will continue to solicit support as many more companies experienced devastating losses and need assistance. All donations to this fund are tax-deductible through the Houston Northwest Chamber Foundation, a 501 c 3 non-profit. 100% of the donations will be awarded to companies applying. The application is available through a link on the Chamber’s homepage, www.HoustonNWChamber.org
 
Lesson #7
There are friends out there!  The Houston Northwest Chamber heard from many friends across the country. They heard from companies and individuals from thirty-one states, Canada, Mexico, and Italy.
 
The Houston Northwest Chamber enabled local businesses to connect with the US Chamber Foundation, a non-profit equipped to provide disaster assistance through its Disaster Hotline and through education programs. The Hotline is 888-MY-BIZ-HELP.
 
On October 18, 2017 from 9am-3pm, the Houston Northwest Chamber will co-host a workshop with the US Chamber Foundation on resources for business recovery. There will be a discussion of access to free cloud services and a Disaster Resiliency Workshop which includes one-on-one consultations with disaster recovery experts There will be no cost to attend and businesses which experienced damage, business interruption or that want to prepare for a future disaster are invited to attend. Online registration will be available once a venue is confirmed.
 
The Houston Northwest Chamber registered as a National Business Emergency Operations Center with FEMA to serve as a clearinghouse for information from the Federal levels. This information has been disseminated as it is provided.
 
Through the coordination of the Texas Association of Business and the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives, where Chamber president Barbara Thomason serves on the Board, an “Adopt-A-Chamber” program was launched and the Cypress Creek Community was fortunate to be adopted by the Frisco, Texas Chamber of Commerce. This Chamber of 1300 members is interested in various kinds of support and specifically matching businesses experiencing loss with similar businesses in Frisco. The two Chambers will post developments using tag #FriscoFriends.
 
“Yes, we want to make this personal for our members,” explains Tony Felker, Frisco Chamber of Commerce president,” The closer to home the experience, the more likely our area businesses are to participate and be gratified by that participation”.
 
“The community of Chambers across the state has been amazing in their outreach”, says Barbara Thomason, Houston Northwest Chamber president, “Someday we hope to be able to support other Chambers and communities in need.”
 
 
Individuals and organizations interested in supporting the recovery of local businesses, may give any amount online at www.YouCaring.com/SupportNWHarris . All donations are tax-deductible.
   
The Houston Northwest Houston Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c) 6 non-profit corporation. The Chamber is an organization of member businesses investing time, talent and resources in economic and community development programs, and working together to improve the economic, civic and cultural fortitude of the region. To learn more about the Chamber and benefits of membership, visit www.HoustonNWChamber.org and www.GrowHoustonNW.com.