HONOLULU – The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $199,999 to the City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Economic Revitalization (OER) to enhance disaster preparedness and recovery efforts for Oʻahu’s small businesses. The Oʻahu Disaster Resiliency Program (ODR) will bring business disaster experts into the community for workshops to train small business owners on how to prepare for future disruptions. This training will also be available on the City’s Oʻahu Business Connector website, which currently connects small businesses to over 80 free or low-cost resources for starting, scaling, and funding their operations. The website will soon link businesses to resources such as local suppliers, emergency services, and funding in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
“Preparedness is key to keeping our community safe,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “It is crucial for businesses to have access to information, tools, and resources when a disaster strikes. This grant will strengthen our community by helping local businesses retain employees and restart operations as soon as possible to keep our economy strong.”
The City and County of Honolulu qualified for Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act funding following a major disaster declaration issued in response to severe storms, flooding, and landslides caused by a significant weather event in 2021.
“The disaster supplemental funding, which is separate from EDA’s regular program funding, is intended specifically to support those areas that have been impacted by major economic shocks and natural disasters,” said Keoki Noji, economic development representative for the U.S. Economic Development Administration. “Past disaster supplemental funding has been used, for example, to repair infrastructure that is critical to the local economy.”
The Oʻahu Disaster Resiliency Program aims to build a more resilient business ecosystem and ensure Oʻahu businesses are equipped to face the unexpected.
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