Butte Fire Business Recovery
Murphys, CA – The Butte Fire ravaged the Calaveras County landscape and impacted its economy.
Recognizing the need for aid resources, the Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Butte Fire Business Recovery event. Chamber Executive Director Staci Johnston stresses this is not just for brick and mortar companies or just those in the burn scar, stating, “If you’re a business owner in a different community that didn’t even have the fire come through there, but have experienced a loss of income because of this, then you definitely need to be at this workshop.”
The chamber recommends that those planning to attend get a Butte Fire recovery packet (click here). “It gives documentation that business owners should bring,” says Johnston. “If you come in prepared with documents…there are organizations that you can get right into the system that evening.”
The workshop is a collaborative effort with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) offering programs designed to help rebuild businesses. Additionally, the SBA will have information available on its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program up to $2 million. Johnston says there will be one on one counseling available, acknowledging, “It’s hard for individuals to just go into a big open space and talk freely about things. This is private, personal and we want everyone to feel comfortable that they can talk to a representative and not feel like everyone is hearing their business, so to speak.”
The workshop is Monday, January 11 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. at Ironstone Vineyards located at 1894 Six Mile Road in Murphys. Johnston reports if the event is well attended more may be planned. Of note, speakers will include Joe McClure from the Small Business Administration (SBA), Carol Pranka from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Keith Rogers from Valley Economic Development Center (VEDC), and Nate McBride from the Northeastern California Small Business Development Center, San Joaquin Delta College (SBDC).
For more event information click here or contact the Chamber office at 209-754-5400.
