Webinar Recording: Lessons from the Field: Small Business Recovery Strategies After a Disaster

On January 28th, 2014 IEDC hosted the webinar on lessons from the field: small business recovery strategies after a disaster. Do you know what an economic development organization (EDO) should do first to help its small businesses after a disaster? What is the timing for such assistance? What are the critical factors that should be taken into account when pulling together resources?  An EDO can provide critical assistance and support soon after a disaster, only if it is well structured and offered in the correct fashion. This webinar contrasts achievements of small business recovery programs in two communities, both of which have evolved to offer support and resources to local businesses after major disasters. Issues addressed in the recording include:

• The major types of services and resources small businesses need immediately following a disaster
• Correct timing and delivery of services and resources so that it is most useful
• Scaling up services and resources for long term business support.

Download the Webinar

Click here to download the webinar recording.

Download the Presentations

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Speakers

Maureen Collins-Williams Director of Entrepreneurship Outreach University of Northern Iowa (UNI)

Maureen Collins-Williams has served as the Director of Entrepreneurship Outreach at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) since 2010. She also is a founding partner at Entrepreneurial Communities, a specialty consulting firm helping communities support entrepreneurship in a changing economy. She previously served as Director of UNI’s Small Business Development Center Director as well as Director of Technology Transfer. She regularly speaks on topics of innovation and entrepreneurship, small business assistance, economic gardening, and technology commercialization as well as serves as a course instructor in entrepreneurship for IEDC and OUEDI. Charles D'Agostino Executive Director Louisiana Business and Technology Center Charles D'Agostino, the founder and Executive Director of the Louisiana Business & Technology Center at Louisiana State University (1988), has been actively involved in entrepreneurship, economic development and small business issues for the last 23 years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Association of University Research Parks (1999-2005) and was re-elected to the board as 1st Vice President for the term 2011-2014. He also served on the board of the National Business Incubation Association (1991-1998). D'Agostino founded (1990) and served as chairman of the Louisiana Business Incubation Association. D'Agostino was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Business Incubation Association in 2011. He was 2012 recipient of the Governor's Leader in Technology Award.

About this Webinar Series

With funding from a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), the2014 Disaster Preparedness and Economic Recovery Webinar Series is produced by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This training series provides practical information on key topics in disaster preparedness, recovery and resiliency for economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and community stakeholders concerned about the local economy. Please note: Web seminars in this series are not eligible for CEcD certification points.