KSBDC Receives Grant to Help with Disaster Recovery

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 13, 2011) – The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) has received a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to create KyBizRecovery, a statewide program coordinating information, resources and assistance to small businesses following a natural, man-made or economic disaster.

“Throughout Kentucky, there are hundreds of nonprofit and government agency service providers that offer assistance to small businesses,” said Kevin Norvell, project director of KyBizRecovery.com.  “The purpose of KyBizRecovery is to coordinate information, resources and assistance to small businesses when and where it is needed.”

Based on KyBizInfo.com, an online network of nonprofit service providers, KyBizRecovery will draw upon Kentucky’s pool of talented and capable nonprofit service providers and create a searchable database that small businesses can use to find the provider best equipped to meet their needs. KyBizRecovery will also serve as an information clearinghouse for disaster related news and announcements. Using social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter, KyBizRecovery will listen, share and respond to small business owners during and after a crisis.

The state of Kentucky ranks 8th in the nation in the number of federally declared natural disasters.  Between 40 and 60 percent of small businesses never reopen following a disaster unless they resume operations within five days of a disaster. In addition, economic disasters such as plant closings and mass layoffs have a ripple effect on local economies directly impacting small businesses. 

As part of this project, KyBizRecovery will hold eight regional meetings throughout the Commonwealth to inform small business owners about the program and facilitate connections between entrepreneurs and the service provider community. In addition, resources such as disaster preparation checklists and other planning tools, along with information on how to recover from a disaster, will be available for download at www.KyBizRecovery.com.

“Small businesses are a vital part of the Kentucky economy. According to the SBA, more than 97 percent of the Commonwealth’s employees are hired by small businesses, making small businesses a vital part of Kentucky’s economy. The KSBDC’s recovery network will bring valuable resources to Kentucky’s small businesses during the most critical of times,” said Becky Naugle, KSBDC state director.

The Kentucky Small Business Development Center, based at UK, is a network of 16 offices located throughout the Commonwealth that help existing and start-up businesses succeed by offering high quality, in-depth and hands-on services. These services include: noncost confidential business consultations, affordable business workshops, seminars, and research to make informed business decisions. For more information on the Kentucky Small Business Development Center, or to locate a center near you, visit www.ksbdc.org or call 859.257.7668.

                                                                      ###

MEDIA CONTACT:  Sarah Magargee-Hineman, (859) 257-7661; Carl Nathe, (859) 257-1754, ext. 238; carl.nathe@uky.edu