Hurricane season is here, so if you haven’t already, now is the time to prepare your business for the potential impacts of severe weather. Joining us on today’s episode of The Small Business Update is Francisco Sánchez Jr., the Associate Administrator for the SBA’s Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience as well as Allen Thomas, SBA Regional Administrator.
Key Takeaways
1. The SBA provides holistic support beyond loans, assisting homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses alike, focusing on recovery and resilience post-disaster.
2. Sánchez highlights low-interest, long-term loans tailored for disaster recovery, crucial for bridging gaps left by uninsured or underinsured losses.
3. While working closely with FEMA, the SBA offers distinct advantages such as higher funding limits and a broader scope of assistance, particularly through economic injury disaster loans.
4. SBA’s regional and district offices play a pivotal role in disaster response, tailoring efforts to local needs and priorities to maximize community recovery.
5. As disaster frequency and severity increase, Sánchez underscores the importance of proactive preparedness among businesses and individuals, emphasizing SBA’s ongoing transformation to better serve communities.
"Disasters are more frequent and more catastrophic than ever. It's crucial for businesses to prepare, but know that SBA is here not just to assist with loans, but to help communities rebuild and become more resilient." – Francisco Sánchez Jr
