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News and information about storm recovery from the Chamber of Commerce
Susan Kraut
Susan Kraut

Disaster Declaration 2024Disaster Declaration Helene


By Susan Kraut,

CEO, Effingham County Chamber of Commerce

 

Good morning, friends!  I hope this message finds you well in Heléne's wake. We are certainly not without challenges throughout the community -- both business and personal – and you have been on my mind as we look toward recovery in Effingham County and surrounding areas.

I’ve had my boots on the ground the last couple of days (okay, gym shoes, really), talking with business owners to better understand our triumphs and challenges. I’ve hauled tree branches and picked up sticks alongside community stakeholders, and I’ve witnessed first-hand the generosity and compassion of our business community in extending offers of support and much-needed assistance.

The tremendous impacts of Heléne have been most significantly felt in the challenges associated with our power grid and our friends at Georgia Power have worked tirelessly to overcome the many obstacles associated with restoring this essential infrastructure. Let's take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for the fortitude and perseverance of the crews and linemen.

Thinking through the next steps, I am writing to you today with information and updates relevant to the months ahead, both in rebounding from this catastrophic event and understanding more about how the Chamber can be of service. Before you read further, please take a moment to complete a brief business impact survey designed to gather useful information and help us learn more about the pain points and where/how to focus our resources. Click on Hurricane Helene Business Impact Survey (surveymonkey.com) and feel free to share this far and wide. Our efforts are not directed only at members, as the success and solvency of local businesses impacts everyone, regardless of membership status.

Recovery Resources - HELENE

  • Attached is a PDF provided by the Georgia Chamber, designed to give us access to essential resources that are immediately available. This list includes services provided by local, state, and national organizations and may help with immediate needs.
  • See attached the current Small Business Administration Disaster Declaration and Fact Sheet for Hurricane Helene. Information may also be found at the links below from the Small Business Administration’s website/disaster loan portal.  Disaster Physical Damage Loans for businesses, homeowners, and renters are available in designated Primary Counties, which includes Effingham. To initiate assistance, click on MySBA Loan Portal. The disaster declaration covers Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long, and Screven counties, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.
  • Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund - Hello Alice: A partnership between DoorDash and Hello Alice provides resources to restaurants, gastropubs, and bakeries with brick-and-mortar locations that have lost revenue from a disaster. Eligible entities may apply for $10,000 grant awards from the RDRF program. The program accepts entries until Dec. 2, at 6PM EST. To read the complete terms and conditions of the program, click here: Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund - Hello Alice.
  • The Internal Revenue Service announced disaster tax relief for all individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene, including the entire states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and parts of Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia. Various deadlines have been postponed to May 1, 2025; part or all of seven states qualify. Click here for more information: Disaster assistance and emergency relief for individuals and businesses | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)
  • Farmers can contact their local US Department of Agriculture service center for information on damage recovery. Service center contact information is available on the USDA website by clicking here.

Recovery Resources – DEBBY

Unfortunately, many businesses are still reeling from Tropical Storm Debby's significant impacts on day-to-day operations and challenges for staff and employees. Please see below for new resources available to those interested in assistance.

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced opening a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Georgia at the Eastern Heights Baptist Church in Statesboro. The center will assist Georgia businesses with losses due to Tropical Storm Debby, which occurred on Aug. 4-20. The disaster declaration covers Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long and Screven counties which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. To initiate assistance, click on: MySBA Loan Portal
  • Please see attached for the current Small Business Administration Disaster Declaration and Fact Sheet for Tropical Storm Debby.

Chamber Updates: Events and Programming

  • Chamber staff and stakeholders are diligently assessing the needs of our business community to ensure that we remain responsive and aware of your unique priorities, especially considering Hurricane Heléne and the yet-to-be-determined effects of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) strike. As such, we are reevaluating our Q4 event and program offerings, acknowledging the possibility of postponing a handful of key dates. Please watch your inbox for ongoing updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, ribbon cuttings and milestone celebrations will continue as we rally around local businesses continuing to establish or expand in our growing community. Take a break from the grind and join us this evening at 6:30 p.m. as we celebrate the grand opening of the Small World Learning Center at 615 Towne Park Loop in Rincon.
  • We’re thrilled to welcome 17 exceptional candidates accepted to the Chamber’s 2024-2025 Leadership Effingham program, presented by Marchese Construction. These applicants were selected for participation because of their commitment to fostering continued community prosperity and service to the greater Effingham economic ecosystem. They hail from various personal and professional backgrounds and will undoubtedly emerge from the program as positive contributors to our upward trajectory. Keep an eye out for an official email announcing this year’s class and save the date for the Leadership Effingham Alumni Picnic and Social (embedded in Evenings in Effingham) on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber. Click here to register: bit.ly/3U1NMIW.
  • Hurricane Helene Resources