NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

COVID-19 is affecting the nation’s small businesses, which are already highly vulnerable, in a variety of ways. From loss of business to remote work, things are continuously changing and businesses are being forced to adapt. Recent disasters such as Hurricane Laura and the wildfires in California have shown the difficulty of implementing relief and recovery efforts in the midst of a pandemic.

Small businesses are often without adequate resources to focus on preparedness actions. As we begin National Preparedness Month, it's important that businesses take the time to put a preparedness plan in place and build resilience to mitigate the impacts of an unexpected disaster.

The U.S. Chamber Foundation has several resources to help small businesses prepare for a disaster or recover from one:

• The Resilience in a Box resources, in partnership with The UPS Foundation, include a Business Preparedness Checklist and Top 20 Tips for Business Preparedness designed to educate businesses on recovery and resilience.

• The Disaster Help Desk for Business is ready to provide direct support to small businesses and chambers impacted by a disaster, including navigating financial and mental health resources. Businesses and chambers can call 1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP for direct support from disaster recovery experts.

• The Chamber Foundation partners with America’s Charities to provide employee assistance funds to companies so they can provide support to employees in times of distress and hardship.

Kelly Augustine

business@nactx.com -

936-560-5533

www.Nacogdoches.org

Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce