AFTER THE STORMS: GETTING YOUR BUSINESS BACK IN BUSINESS

[VZSmallBiz]

If small business is the backbone of America’s economy, we’ve taken a couple of jolts to our spine with Hurricane Sandy and the subsequent nor’easter.  Recovery in the wake of these back-to-back storms is especially important to Verizon because the entrepreneurs that own these businesses are, in many cases, both residential and commercial customers of ours.  With that in mind, we want to share the following information resources to aid your recovery throughout the stricken area – while Verizon continues to work round-the-clock to restore services to our customers and assist those affected by the storms.

New Jersey

See the Statewide Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery Assistance information and resources available on the State of New Jersey Business Portal website.  The Business Recovery Check List offers guidance on actions that small business owners should take and agencies that can assist you through the recovery process.  For Information on New Jersey's Business Assistance Services call the Business Action Center at 866-534-7789. 

New York

For assistance at the state government level, small business owners should visit the Hurricane Sandy: Disaster Relief for Businesses page of the Empire State Development (ESD) website.  You can also call the Small Businesses & Homeowner HOTLINE to speak to an expert at 855-NYS-SANDY (7263).   New York’s chief economic development agency offers business counseling services as well as disaster relief financial and material assistance.  You’ll also find a lot of referrals to federal, county, and local agencies that can help you.

New York City

Check out the Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery Information web page.  It’s a source for important info with links to services and programs to help New York City businesses recover from the effects of Hurricane Sandy.  Thanks to the New York City Department of Small Business Services and The New York City Economic Development Corporation for putting this all together for local small business owners.

Federal Agencies

Hurricane Sandy Recovery, USA.gov

Hurricane Sandy Disaster Assistance, Federal Emergency Management Agency

Hurricane Sandy Update 2: SBA Standing Ready to Help Businesses, Homeowners and Renters Recover, U.S. Small Business Administration

Business Recovery News & Advice

Smallest businesses face biggest challenges after Sandy, Newark Star-Ledger

How to Get Help If Sandy Knocks You Out, Entrepreneur

Resources for Small and Medium Businesses Affected by Sandy, Huffington Post

How a Small Business Can Recover from Hurricane Sandy and Other Natural Disasters, Forbes

If you’re the owner of a storm-damaged business, we hope that this info will be of service to you.  And, we also hope that you would share it with other business owners who don’t have access to the Internet at this time.  Thank you.