If your business or organization has received significant damages from a natural disaster, report it to your county or city emergency management office for assistance as soon as possible.    

Disaster assistance for business owners is commonly provided through businesses insurance coverage but when a disaster impacts many businesses in a community a variety of federal, state, or other resources may be available to assist in recovery. 

Disaster planning for businesses 

Without continuity planning and adequate insurance, even a small disaster or event like a power outage or fire, can change a successfully run business to out-of-business. Yet, with just a little planning, communication and preparation, a good business will be much more likely to stay in business even if a disaster strikes. 

Department of Commerce 

Recovering from a disaster usually begins by filing insurance claims, working with adjusters, and hiring contractors.  It is critical to start this process as soon as possible after a disaster for local emergency managers to assess the extent of unmet needs in the community.  All other forms of assistance, including federal, state, non-profit and voluntary normally require insurance claims be filed before any assistance is offered. 

The Minnesota Department of Commerce offers a Disaster Information Packet for individuals, homeowners, and businesses to help guide them through the insurance and rebuilding process. 

Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) 

DEED manages a variety of business development, assistance, and recovery programs, as well as worker assistance and job training programs for eligible individuals whose unemployment results from a disaster.  Some of the appropriate assistance programs include: 

• Minnesota Investment Fund 

• Small Business Development Centers 

• Temporary Workforce Centers 

• Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) 

• Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) 

• MN Public Facilities Authority (PFA) 

In addition, DEED will also administer federal disaster recovery programs, including National Emergency Grants (NEG), which can provide temporary work for displaced workers and the federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program, which can aid workers not covered by standard state assistance. Read more on the DEED programs fact sheet: 

Federal Resources  

Small Business Administration 

In larger disasters, the Small Business Administration (SBA) may provide low-interest loans to help business owners rebuild or repair facilities or replace materials or inventory.  In addition, even if a business or small agricultural cooperative has not suffered direct damages, loans may be made available to assist them through the disaster recovery period.