Help Available for Small Businesses Affected by Flooding in 46 Pennsylvania Counties

June 29, 2006; 09:07 AM

Philadelphia - The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers are poised and ready to respond to Governor Edward G. Rendell's Proclamation of Disaster Emergency announced yesterday. The Governor's proclamation authorized state agencies to use all available resources to respond to the recent heavy rain and flooding affecting most of Central and Eastern Pennsylvania.

In a statement released Wednesday, Rendell noted "the serious impact of this storm on the immediate and long-term economy of this region." Small companies impacted by the recent flooding across 46 counties can turn to the network of 16 Small Business Development Centers across the state for help in getting their businesses back up and running.

"For precisely this reason, every business owner should have a disaster preparedness plan in place," said Pennsylvania SBDC State Director Gregory L. Higgins, Jr. "But if you do not, please contact your local SBDC for help. Consultants have a number of resources on hand to help small businesses recover when the unexpected happens. They'll also help develop an emergency response plan specifically tailored for your business."

Confidential, no-fee consulting services are available from the SBDCs to help small companies with loss documentation, information on claim filing, locating and setting up short-term and permanent replacement facilities and assessing environmental cleanup options. SBDC consultants are also skilled in helping small firms apply for available financial assistance to enable them to become re-established quickly.

SBDCs are located at Bucknell University, Clarion University, Duquesne University, Gannon University, Indiana University, Kutztown University, Lehigh University, Lock Haven University, Penn State University, Saint Francis University, Saint Vincent College, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, University of Pittsburgh, University of Scranton and Wilkes University. Visit http://www.pasbdc.org/where/ for a location map and contact information.

Additional resources for small companies affected by the flooding are available in the Business Information Resources section of the Pennsylvania SBDC website, http://www.pasbdc.org/tools/emergency.asp.

A History of Help

The SBDCs have a history of helping small businesses adversely affected by natural disasters. In 2004, for example, SBDCs responded to several small companies impacted by Hurricane Ivan. The University of Pittsburgh SBDC assisted seven clients in completing and filing the SBA Disaster Loan applications, four of which also pursued recovery financing provided through the Department of Community and Economic Development. The SBDC also helped a manufacturing client obtain financing to expand into a new location due to Ivan-related flooding.

For additional information about the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers, please contact (215) 898-1219 or visit the Pennsylvania SBDC web site at http://www.pasbdc.org.