Register for Webinar on 11/9: Prioritizing Economic Recovery Actions Following a Major Disaster

Sharing Experiences from Joplin and Hurricane Katrina

_ Date: Friday, November 9th Time: 2:30 - 4:00 pm EST Cost: Free Click here to register. Superstorm Sandy left widespread devastation along the east coast in terms of loss of life and property damage. While disaster relief efforts are currently underway, chambers of commerce and economic development organizations (EDOs) might be wondering what they should be prioritizing to respond and assist - particularly in the days, weeks, and months ahead. On Friday, November 9th, IEDC will host a webinar featuring two organizations serving on the ground in economic recovery efforts following major disasters: 1) an EF-5 tornado which touched down in May 2011, devastating 1/3 of Joplin, Missouri and 2) Jefferson Parish (next to New Orleans) which was completely flooded by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Jerry Bologna of JEDCO will share his experiences of key actions steps that local business leadership took to assist thousands of businesses in recovery following Katrina, including the delivery of a $50 million revolving loan fund. Rob O'Brian will share thoughts on how his organization prioritized key activities to help retain approximately 90 percent of Joplin's 530 impacted businesses following their tornado. From this webinar, your organization will learn:
  • what to expect in terms of response and recovery issues in the coming days and months;
  • what your economic development organization's role could be in the recovery process;
  • effective communication methods with your local businesses;
  • critical short-terms actions that can spur long-term recovery;
  • constructive ways to manage communication challenges and stress.
Tracye McDaniel, President & CEO of Choose New Jersey will provide opening remarks, followed by Jerry Bologna and Rob O'Brian's brief presentations. There will be 45 minutes of Q&A for call participants to share their questions in order to provide time for peer-to-peer learning. While the road to recovery is expected to be long for many impacted communities, there are still actions that an EDO or chamber could be doing immediately following an event to help lessen the disastrous impacts and spur recovery. Please join us for Friday's webinar to learn about those priorities!

Opening Remarks

Tracye McDanielTracye McDaniel President & CEO Choose NJ Tracye McDaniel is the newly appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Choose New Jersey, a 501c3 organization focused on encouraging and nurturing economic growth throughout the state of New Jersey. She brings more than 26 years of executive and senior management experience in economic development, destination marketing, public relations, tourism and international business development. She has held cabinet-level positions in three gubernatorial administrations. Prior to assuming her current post, McDaniel served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), where she directed the execution of the organization’s 10-year Strategy Plan focused on membership, economic development and public policy. Previously, McDaniel served as Executive Director of the Office of the Governor Economic Development and Tourism Division, spearheading award-winning economic development and tourism operations for the State of Texas.

Speakers_

Jerry Bologna, CEcD Deputy Director JEDCO Jerry Bologna serves as the Deputy Director of JEDCO, Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, the economic development organization for the parish. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he served as the Director of Economic Development Services at JEDCO, assisting impacted businesses with accessing tax incentives, financing, workforce development and other programs for the purpose of business retention. After Hurricane Katrina, JEDCO quickly established two business counseling centers, and developed and administered a revolving loan fund (RLF), which distributed approximately $50 million in loans to hundreds of small businesses after Hurricane Katrina. Jerry is married and is the proud father of two daughters. Rob O'Brian, CEcD President Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Rob O'Brian's activities include President of the Joplin Business and Industrial Development Corporation, Vice-President of the Joplin Industrial Development Authority, current Board Member and Past-President of the Missouri Economic Development Council, Board Member and Past-President, Missouri Economic Development Financing Association. O'Brian was a member of Governor Blunt's State Government Reform Commission and was instrumental in writing the Enterprise Zone and Quality Jobs Act legislation. Since the May 22, 2011 tornado that devastated one-third of Joplin, O'Brian has been at the forefront of the recovery efforts by amassing resources for the business community to ensure that businesses can rebuild and thrive in the community. Rob and his wife of 30 thirty years have made their home in Joplin since 1995 with their daughter Toni.