Iowa Western SBDC Offers No Cost Help For Businesses Affected by SW Iowa Floods

Floods and other unexpected disasters can devastate a business. The Iowa Western SBDC is here for all businesses affected and can help in any capacity to help avoid further distress and get businesses back on track to growing. Please share this information with any businesses who has flooding or will lose business because of road access.

WE are available to visit one on one to assist with any problems and help find the right resources. Below are a few things that we have helped with during past floods in the state of Iowa

First Level General education about the resources available to assist. This can include information how to file insurance claims, how to file economic impact surveys, tips on contracting with cleanup companies and acting as a referral desk for additional resources.

Second Level Business counseling and planning resources. The SBDC has experience with both disaster recovery and business planning. Our resources and expertise will be able to assist:

1. Significant physical damage requiring relocation or rebuilding. There are financial considerations and the SBDC can assist with planning assistance and guidance in making the best decisions.

2. Obtaining capital for rebuilding including SBA disaster loans (assuming a declaration is coming) and conventional bank loans. We have a couple of accounting firms we use regularly plus other centers with CPAs that can assist in financial work.

3. Strategic planning for future business growth. The natural reaction is to put things back to their pre-flood condition. Decisions need to be made quickly, but also consider any changes to the market and opportunities to act on other growth plans.

4. General business disaster assistance. Members of our team worked with over 600 businesses affected by the 2008 flood and have a good understanding of issues. We will use our network of specialists to supplement the resource network

For immediate help we have a Business Disaster Assessment Checklist that will help businesses affected assess damage and act quickly. https://www.iowawesternsbdc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Iowa-SBDC-Business-Assessment-Checklist.pdf

There are also great resources available through FEMA’s websitehttps://www.fema.gov/de/media-library/resources-documents/collections/357 at and Iowa State Extension at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/communities