http://www.uschamber.com/ccc/hurricane_recovery.htm
CCC’s Gulf Coast Recovery and Rebuilding Programs

http://access.louisiana.gov/louisiana1st/web/locate/siteselector/StartAction.do?context=portal

Keeping Louisiana Open for Business

Viva

As I read your words and remembered the discussion board posts, the question that was asked then once again demanded an answer — one that still has not come. True enough, Katrina (and Rita) have changed how we advertise jobs. How we fill jobs has also changed in response to the current needs.

In light of these changes, does this indicate that we’ve become too involved in selection tools and strategies? Perhaps the quick fill is what is needed and necessary for these times. But won’t it be interesting to see how many of the quick hires become the long-term, quality hires? Let me refer you to The Non-Traditional Qualified Candidate.

You also confirmed news about the lack of quality response down there, the confusion and chaos. It makes me shiver to think that those officials were supposedly carefully screened, tested and hired for their positions. There’s a recruiting and hiring comment embedded in that reality that probably is begging to be explored. I touched on it briefly with FEMA’s Sad Case. It is my hope that these situations are not played out in other locations nor in the future.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Viva

As many know I had been working with the SBA, SCORE, BBB, National Chamber of Commerce and the Louisiana Housing Commmunity and Development Department with efforts to implement programs to assist rebuilding the business affected by Katrina. Fortunately I can Now state that the programs are now in progress as we speak –
On October the 14th I received an e-mail from the Office of Disaster Assistance Senior Administration with the exciting news Team ODA: Working Together As One..

They have managed to also pull togethor some awesome groups and associations to work with them as well ..

The main focus of the programs are to help recreate the business lost by Katrina, to help recreate the jobs.. Here are some links with the information

http://matchupkatrina.com/survey/web/index.html
http://www.aidmatrix.org/uschamber/ and http://exchange.aidmatrix.org/uschamberbusiness/ adopt a business
http://www.uschamber.com/ccc/0508katrina.htmBusiness Resources for Gulf Coast Response and Recovery is matching corporate donations with the needs of businesses impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
https://www.nerr.gov/ Katrina Relief: Through the National Emergency Resource Registry (NERR), the Commerce Department is mobilizing the resources and good nature of businesses across the country to help meet the needs of thousands of businesses devastated by Hurricane Katrina. This call center will take calls from affected businesses wanting to rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Katrina or businesses that want to donate supplies, funds, or other items. The call center can be reached on the Web at http://www.nerr.gov or toll free on 888-4USADOC.

http://access.louisiana.gov/louisiana1st/web/locate/siteselector/StartAction.do?context=portal Keeping Louisiana Open for Business
http://www.nvoad.org/
LED Helping Restore Businesses Impacted by Katrina also found on http://www.ledforward.louisiana.gov/press_releases.html
http://www.labi.org/
Louisiana Association of Business & Industry (LABI) has set up a disaster fund with the goal of providing small grants to qualifying businesses. To apply or to make a donation to this fund
http://reliefportal.com/site.php has a place to help people and business and request.. can also be found at http://katrina.louisiana.gov/info-assistance.htm
http://www.ideavillage.org/press/EARNPressRelease.php
http://risingfromruin.msnbc.com/2005/10/a_helping_hand_.html
http://www.lded.state.la.us/article/view.aspx?id=175
http://www.ledforward.louisiana.gov/la_bridge_loan_program.html?pubid=bridge
http://www.bsanetwork.com/
http://www.nolabusiness.com/ ‘nolabusiness.com’ allows business owners to post both the status of their business and current contact information, as well as get a free webmail account all in one easy step.

This came from the SBA Disaster assistance regarding the initial promotions ..
The SBA is anticipating conducting Business Matchmaking events in the Gulf Coast region soon. More information will be available in the in the coming weeks.

There are other outlets within SBA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that you may want to consider for promoting your company’s resources. They include:

SBA’s Business Matchmaking program. Information on this program will be available at http://www.businessmatchmaking.com after November 1, 2005.

2. SBA and General Services Administration’s (GSA) Citizen Customer Service Center where small business can learn about Hurricanes Katrina and Rita contracting opportunities. The Center can be reached at 1-800-FEDINFO.

3. The DHS National Emergency Resource Registry (NERR). They assist the coordination efforts between the resources that are needed and the resources that may be available from the private and public sectors. Resources that may be made available to the response agencies can be listed on the Resource Registry at http://www.nerr.gov.

4. Open For Business is a website that centralizes information and shows businesses how to work with the DHS. Designed to assist the business community, they include links to contracts, grants, small business opportunities, research and development and contacts. Information on this program is available at http://www.dhs.gov/openforbusiness.

I hope this information is beneficial and again thank you. Your support of the U.S. Small Business Administration is appreciated.

U.S. Small Business Administration
Office of Disaster Assistance

Team ODA: Working Together As One