It is important to plan for unforeseen events such as natural disasters, a pandemic, or loss of key staff, in order to ensure preparedness and ability to recover.

​

Planning for Emergency

​

The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a brief introduction into being prepared for unforeseen events.

​

Step 1: Assess your risk

 

Every business has unique vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Knowing which disasters are most likely to affect your business can help you to return to operations faster. A back-to-business self-assessment can help you assess your risks for common hazards such as hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, or even cyberattacks. 

 

Step 2: Create a plan

 

Your response plan is your roadmap to recovery, so it should be tailored to your business’s specific needs and operations.  It should address immediate priorities and be easy to access. Checklists and online toolkits are effective resources to help you develop your plan. Consider the following:  

​

• The IRS provides some simple steps to take to prepare for disaster.  

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also provides checklists and videos on how to prepare for disasters. 

​

Build a Disaster Recovery Plan or Business Continuity Plan

 

Download FEMA’s Small Business Continuity Template (PDF)

​

A business continuity plan generally includes:

 

• A detailed list identifying risks that could disrupt your business. 

• Actions to be taken if the unexpected event occurs. 

• A list of key staff and stakeholders and their specific roles in relation to the plan. 

• Plans for a relocation strategy if your premises should be inaccessible. 

• Emergency contact telephone numbers. 

• Details of where first aid and key documents are stored. 

• A list of key documents such as insurance policies and financial records that need to be retrieved if the plan is activated. 

• A communication plan to broadcast key message about the disruption. 

• A guide as to when the plan is to be activated. 

​

COVID-Related Recovery

​

There are many resources available through the state and federal government to help small businesses affected by COVID-19 rebound after the recession.

 

There are loan and grant opportunities below:

​

• SBA Funding

• SBA COVID Resources

• Boston Small Business Relief Fund (Boston-based only)

• Small Business Strong (funding and one-on-one advisors)

• COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan

• U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency

​

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding

 

Similar to COVID-related funding, ARPA funding will soon be available to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Check back soon once the funding has been allocated by the state legislature and Governor.

 

More information found here.

​

COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)  

 

The COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans recovery program provides funding to small businesses impacted by the pandemic.   

 

To learn more about COVID-19 EIDL repayment options and other traditional Small Business Administration (SBA) loans visit: COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (sba.gov)

​