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Washington, D.C.— Today, House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement for National Preparedness Month which is recognized each September:

            “When natural disaster strikes, the federal government must be prepared to help. For years, the Small Business Administration has been a crucial part of the recovery process, offering low-cost loans and assistance to small businesses, homeowners, and renters affected by a natural disaster.

            “Sadly, each year after disaster strikes, too many small businesses are forced to shut their doors because the costs of rebuilding are just too tough to stretch. To help more businesses stay open and mitigate any potential loss in profit, I urge small business owners to familiarize themselves with the resources offered under the SBA. It is also incumbent upon the agency to be prepared to quickly and efficiently deploy disaster assistance when its needed.

            “Finally, American citizens across this nation, whether on the mainland or in the territories, deserve to be treated equally and with dignity should they encounter the tragic reality of a natural disaster—be it a hurricane, wildfire, earthquake, or flood.”

To help small businesses navigate the disaster assistance programs offered by the SBA, Chairwoman Velázquez has put together resource guides. They are available in English and Spanish. More information from the SBA can be found here.

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