Free workshop aims to help small-business owners recover more quickly after natural disasters.
Thriving in Florida’s business climate means surviving the various potential disasters associated with its dynamic environment. Yet small business owners often find themselves confronted with so many daily duties and unforeseen challenges that they postpone—perpetually—preparation for what they don’t want to happen.
However, operating a small business amid South Florida’s weather patterns requires expecting the unexpected. That’s why the Business Development Board of Martin County is hosting a free workshop so business owners of every kind can gain the knowledge essential to protecting their company, their employees, and their investments, whatever comes their way.
Business Resilience: Beyond the Basics will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on May 29 at Indian River State College’s Chastain Campus in Stuart. Breakfast and refreshments are included.
The program will address, among others:
- Perils of unpreparedness: Too few business owners know that a business plan, operations plan, and current books are essential to qualifying for disaster-relief funding.
- Step-by-step navigation: Detailed instructions on applying for no- or low-interest economic-injury loans.
- Supply-chain contingency plans: Expert insights on the importance of knowing how the scope of a disaster can impact your suppliers, vendors and customers—and how to build viable backup options.
“Fires, flooding, hurricanes, and as we all recently found out—even tornadoes—pose real threats to people, property, and overall public safety,” says William Corbin, BDBMC executive director, whose Stuart community endured a direct tornado strike during Hurricane Milton. “While there are things homeowners can do to prepare, business owners’ responses must go beyond shutters and sandbags. That’s where the Business Resilience workshop steps in, providing actionable strategies every CEO will want to know.”
Numerous nationwide studies show that as many as 40 to 60 percent of small businesses permanently close their doors after widespread disasters. Common contributing factors include failures to back up essential data and financial information, lack of proper insurance, and unrealistic estimates about their abilities to withstand extended interruptions in supply chains, vendor payments, and making payroll.
“Natural disasters wreak havoc in countless ways,” says Corbin. “Even if there’s no loss of life, the loss of property and time that it takes to recover can impact individuals’ lives in major ways and hurt the local economy. We’re especially appreciative that so many of our partners embraced the importance of participating in this workshop and sharing their knowledge and expertise with others. A more resilient economy is to everyone’s benefit.”
While the BDBMC works closely with light manufacturers and legacy industries such as aviation and marine, the strategies shared in the workshop remain relevant for every business owner regardless of specialty.
Presenters include the Martin County Emergency Management Agency, FPL, FloridaMakes, CONNEX, South Florida Manufacturers Association, Small Business Development Center at IRSC, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, CareerSource Research Coast, Solar Energy Loan Fund, and several other subject-matter experts across the private sector.
Registration required; CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!
