HIRE Act, a tax break for employers that hire the unemployed

Recently enacted legislation, the HIRE Act (Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act), can provide tax incentives to employers who hire people who are unemployed.

The first, referred to as the payroll tax exemption, provides employers with an exemption from the employer’s 6.2 percent share of social security tax on wages paid to qualifying employees, effective for wages paid from March 19, 2010 through December 31, 2010.

In addition, for each qualified employee retained for at least 52 consecutive weeks, businesses will also be eligible for a general business tax credit, referred to as the new hire retention credit, of 6.2 percent of wages paid to the qualified employee over the 52 week period, up to a maximum credit of $1,000.

For more information on the HIRE Act, check out HIRE ACT: Questions and Answers for Employers on the IRS website.

2010 Hickman County Fair

Just a little advanced notice so that you can mark your calendar -- According to www.tennesseefairs.com, the Hickman County Fair will be held August 25-28 at the Hickman County Agricultural Pavilion and Fairgrounds in Centerville, TN.
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Be sure to ride all the rides and see all the shows!

Technology-based Entrepreneurship Training

Entrepreneurship training can be a challenge. Some people start their business not knowing what they don't know. Some need to learn more to grow their business and don't have or don't take the time to learn how to sustain it. Economic development professionals are always looking for better ways to develop small business and response to traditional classes have been lukewarm. This looks like a great program offered in Canada for educating entrepreneurs. SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) offers a lot of on-line small business training - free yes, but without the structure and interactive instructor support. However, if you need questions answered or other direction, check out www.business.hickmantn.org for local, state, and regional business assistance.

Bon Aqua, Tennessee

With retail, it usually starts with some magical mix of rooftops, demographics and traffic counts. Communicating that message is tough and has to be multi-channel. One page, old-fashioned "slicks" (so named because they are usually printed on gloss paper) are still a useful tool, whether printed or sent electronically. Though mine for Hickman County are undergoing an update, anyone with an interest in retail development is encouraged to check out the "slick" for Bon Aqua, Tennessee.

ICSC Idea Exchange

Yesterday and today, I participated in the ICSC Tennessee/Kentucky Idea Exchange. ICSC members include retailers, developers, commercial real estate brokers, public officials and economic development professionals working hard to match the right prospect to the right piece of real estate at the right price.

National Banana Pudding Festival

Hickman County will host to the National Banana Pudding Festival on October 2, 2010. If you like old-fashioned banana pudding or just old-fashioned fun, mark your calendar to celebrate comfort food!

Location:
Hickman County Ag Pavilion
979 Grinder’s Switch
Centerville, TN 37033

10:00 am to 10:00 pm
2 Stages of Entertainment
Fun Activities for the kids
Arts and Crafts

Happy Independence Day!

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Fourth of July Fireworks at Centerville River Park

If you are looking for a great place to view fireworks tomorrow on Sunday, the Fourth of July, the Hickman County Chamber of Commerce is presenting fireworks and ice cream. The music and fun begins around 6:00pm on July 4th to celebrate our country's independence with the fireworks after the sun sets. Our founding fathers brought a diverse group of people together to declare and win our independence and embark on our country's formation of a democracy and a long "pursuit of life, liberty and happiness."

The location will be at the Centerville River Park.

Information on college and how to pay for education

I clicked on a great link on the Hickman County Higher Education website today. Whether a high school student off for the summer or an adult thinking about changing their career path, the CollegeForTN website provides a portal to higher education opportunities and information on funding more education through financial aid.

It's Tuesday, time for a rambling post

I spend a lot of time in the car and satellite radio is a little luxury that maintains a level of cultural continuity. Today while listening to Public Radio Exchange, I was entertained (and revealed to be a nerd) by a discussion of “captcha”, the distorted picture of words that you must type to prove to a website that you are a real person. The person talked about all the time that was wasted typing in these random letters and this similar thing called “recaptcha” had been invented that paired a real word with a word that an optical character recognition program could not decipher from the digitization scan from an old book. Seems as the old, faded type on yellowed paper can be read better by a human than a machine. So, deciphering this unintelligible (by the computer, which btw creates the security hurdle) word with a word ‘captcha’erized, one was doing something productive while jumping this security hurdle. (The word from the old book is given to multiple people, creating a consensus on its true spelling.) Aha, you’re thinking what I was thinking… yes, but I still wasted my time typing in these two words. Here is the great thing about the story – it is quicker to type two words than a few random characters. (Remember how quickly you can type ‘the’, etc.) So, “recaptcha” lets you navigate the security hurdle more quickly while helping to make classic text available to the masses. Not a bad case of synergy.

.....
Which got me to thinking (while listening to Met Opera Radio), why don’t we do this more often? We need to open a door, why not hold it open for the next person? Doesn’t it take less effort to smile than frown? We’re exhaling anyway, why not send it through our vocal cords and make that breath a “Howdy!”?

Quilt Show in Centerville, TN

You are invited to the Quilts... Homeward Bound, Centerville and Hickman County's 5th quilt documentation show. Each year, quilts are displayed, documented and published in a quilt book. Come see 200 dearly loved, heirloom and contemporary quilts at the First Baptist Church, 100 Murphree Street (two blocks off the Centerville Public Square.) Dates and time are Friday, October 1st 12pm - 6pm and Saturday, October 2nd 9am - 4pm. For more information, check out the quilt show website at http://www.quiltsofhome.org/ .

Fireworks in Hickman County, the fun kind for a change

If you are looking for a great place to view fireworks on July 4th, the Hickman County Chamber of Commerce is presenting fireworks and ice cream next Sunday, July 4th in celebration of our country's independence. Our founding fathers brought a diverse group of people together to declare and win our independence and embark on our country's formation of a democracy and a "pursuit of life, liberty and happiness."

The location will be at Centerville River Park.

Hickman County on Nashville's Trace

The Tennessean newspaper's travel section highlighted Nashville's Trace, part of Tennessee Dept. of Tourism Trials and Byways program. Nashville's Trace connects you with Music City, the Natchez Trace Parkway and a lot of the country that made (and is making) country music, as well as other music. Whether you want to see music's roots, its heart and soul or whatever you want to call it, Nashville's Trace and Hickman County's part of it are a great experience.

Finishing on a positive note

Tennessee Department of Revenue recently published May revenue collection data including local sales tax collections, which are good indicators of retail sales. Local sales tax collections for Hickman County in May showed significant positive growth for the second consecutive month.

Random ramble

Economic development might seem an odd profession. Today was about as good as it gets... over an hour in a hot industrial building and stopping for a gallon of milk and an ice cream treat at the new Dollar General store on Highway 46 in Bon Aqua on their first day of business. Much work and sweat is expended long before everyone can enjoy the treat.

Tennessee Trails and Byways

If you are visiting Nashville this summer, take an excursion down the Nashville's Trace Trail: Backstage to Backroads. One of the loops on this trail (don't worry, it's all paved highways), takes you to Hickman County, the birthplace of some of that Nashville (and other) music. Opry star Minnie Pearl, fiddlers Howdy Forrester and Paul Warren, jazz musician Dicky Wells, lyricist Beth Slater Whitson ("Let Me Call You Sweetheart") and other talent came from Hickman County. (And, there is a lot of musical and artistic talent still performing there!) The Man in Black, Johnny Cash had a home here for many years and even wrote and recorded a song about his home outside Nashville, "Saturday Night in Hickman County".

Latest Federal Reserve survey shows recovery spreads across the country

"Fed survey: recovery spreads across country" documents additional signs of a slow but welcome economic recovery across all Federal Reserve regions.

How to Ask For Tax Dollars to Market Your Rural Tourism Destination

How to Ask For Tax Dollars to Market Your Rural Tourism Destination has good information on measuring rural tourism benefits and justifying investing in growing the value of your community's tourism destinations.

Preparing for the next business disaster

Business disasters can come from fire, hackers, flood, tornado -- any disruption to your operations. Planning for disaster to mitigate its impact is as important as strategic planning, marketing plans, etc. PrepareMyBusiness.org looks like a great place to start your business disaster preparedness and recovery plans.

April Sales Tax Collections Show Improvement

I would expect that Hickman County will take a hit in May due to the flood disruptions, but April local sales tax collections signaled improvement. Hickman County's local sales tax collections for April were up 8.6% from 2009 and were even greater than April 2008, which was the highest April collection total since I've been working with Hickman County Economic & Community Development. Should we claim victory? Heavens no, but maybe it is sign that we're doing something right and should keep fighting the good fight.

Sign, Sign, everywhere a sign...

Maybe it is the sign overload from the current local political campaigns, but I am tired of all the bad signs - campaigns and businesses are both offenders. I hate the droopy banner signs, unattractive colors, the tilted/slanted/all askew signs, small print, ugly colors, unreadable fonts, confused messages, no directions, too little/too much info, etc., etc., etc.

As an economic development professional, bad signs may get my attention for their ineffectiveness, but no signs at all are bad, too. No matter how techie our customers get with their Internet research, Google-ing, GPS units and smart phones; it is hard to replace the communication potential of a really good sign.

Joanne Steele with RuralTourismMarketing.com recently had a great blog post on signage for rural communities and businesses, "Good Signage. Helping Visitors Get Around in a Rural Tourism Town." In addition, I ran across this web page, "What Color is Your Business?", that I found helpful with the design of a marketing piece that I am working on and it can also relate to the design of signage.

So, if we are blocking out a little of our scenery, let's pleasantly communicate our message to our guests without breaking their mind.

Hickman County Working its Way Back

Hickman County continues to recover from the recent flood that brought a federal disaster declaration. People have pulled together and have gotten back to business. Sure, you'll still see flood damage, but you'll also see that most business are pretty much back to normal.

Chamber of Commerce Customer Service Series

Part 3 of the Hickman County Chamber of Commerce's Customer Service Series will be held on Thursday, May 27th -- 8 am at the Hickman County Career Center, 130 Progress Center Plaza in Centerville. The previous 2 sessions have received rave reviews and who doesn't need another networking opportunity? Call the Chamber to RSVP at 729-5774.

Growing your business through networking

Ever heard the saying, "It's not what you know, it's who you know"? Maybe the thing is "what you know about who you'll know." To learn how to know more people and create a positive relationship, check out "Build Your Business Through Networking" on Business.Gov.

Grand Opening for Centerville Marketplace

Plenty of flood damage remains, but things are returning to normal in Hickman County. Centerville Marketplace on the Centerville Public Square will be celebrating their Grand Opening on Friday, May 21 from 11:00 to 2:00. Centerville Marketplace is filled with neat things - a collection of locally made crafts, soaps, candles, pottery, etc. as well as antiques and gift items.

Business Recovery Survey (related to flood disaster)

Tennessee Dept. of Economic & Community Development and TEMA are conducting a survey to determine the damages to businesses related to the recent flood and winds. The data collected will be used in our efforts to help Tennessee business recover from losses from the disaster.

To participate in the survey, you may download a form from business.hickmantn.org or call Hickman County Economic & Community Development Association at 729-5953 and I will record and submit your information. The survey is relatively simple, around a dozen questions.

I will be contacting those businesses that I know have been most affected, but feel free to participate in the survey even if your business was negatively affected by power, water, transportation and/or communications disruptions or other effects of the flood disaster.

TN Dept of Commerce & Insurance encourages caution in hiring contractors for home repair

Verify licenses of potential home contractors with http://verify.tn.gov
State provides guidance on selecting contractors

NASHVILLE, TN – In light of the historic flooding that has devastated parts of Tennessee, the Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) is encouraging homeowners to verify the licensure of contractors they hire to repair their homes by using http://verify.tn.gov.

“It’s important for residents to not fall prey to fraud artists posing as legitimate, licensed home contractors,” says TDCI Commissioner Leslie A. Newman. “Taking the time to make sure someone is licensed with the state is the fundamental first step when selecting a contractor to work on your home. By all means, use http://verify.tn.gov to see whether the person you’re considering is a licensed contractor.”

When selecting a contractor, it is also important to:
Get several bids. It’s best to get at least three bids and check references.
Get a written contract that includes the company’s name, address and telephone number. The contract should also include an anticipated start and completion date.
Take your time and do not get rushed into signing a contract.
Never pay more than 1/3 down and do not let the payments get ahead of the work.
Ask for proof of general liability insurance.
Make sure the contractor obtains the local permits for inspections.

Tennesseans can also check the Department’s monthly Disciplinary Action Reports to see if contractors have engaged in unlicensed activity or have incurred administrative action taken against them by the Department.

Licensing for contractors also carries parameters that govern the types of jobs different licensees are permitted to perform.

The Department of Commerce and Insurance works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee. www.tn.gov/commerce/

STATE OF TENNESSEE
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE
BOARD FOR LICENSING CONTRACTORS
Mailing Address: 500 JAMES ROBERTSON PARKWAY
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37243-1150
TELEPHONE: 800-544-7693 OR (615) 741-8307
Website: http://tn.gov/commerce/boards/contractors/
E-mail: Contractors.Home-Improvement@TN.Gov

Finding and Selecting Licensed Contractors

The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors warns recent victims of flooding to use caution when hiring a contractor to repair or rebuild their homes. Unscrupulous, unlicensed contractors often prey on victims of natural disasters. The Board has found in the past where some contractors take advantage of homeowners who are anxious to rebuild. Take your time and protect yourself against con artists who will take your money and run, or from incompetent contractors who will perform shoddy work. Hire only licensed contractors and check them out with the Board.

The following is a list of tips to hiring a contractor; explanation of when a license is required by law; how to verify whether a contractor is properly licensed and if they have a history of complaints.

TIPS TO HIRING A CONTRACTOR
The Board urges consumers to follow these tips when dealing with contractors:
Hire only licensed contractors – Ask for their Tennessee license ID number or to see their pocket card; and verify their license status at the “License Search” at: http://tn.gov/commerce/boards/contractors/ or by contacting the Board’s office at 800-544-7693 where you may also check their complaint history. (Review our Brochure to see a sample of a license pocket card.)

Check out the contractor – Don't hire the first contractor who comes along. It’s best to get at least three (3) bids, and check references (don't rush into repairs, no matter how badly they're needed). Be skeptical of solicitations from those with out-of-state license plates or if you are rushed by the contractor to agree to let them perform the work.
Get a written contract – Make sure the contractor’s name, address and telephone number on the contract is legitimate (not a P.O. Box address or phone answering services). Contract should include an anticipated start and completion date.
Proof of insurance – Workers’ Compensation is required by those with one (1) employee or more; also check for general liability insurance coverage.
Payment - never pay cash – Don't pay more than 1/3 down and don't let the payments get ahead of the work.
Permit and Inspections – Make sure the contractor obtains the local permits for inspections. The homeowner should never obtain the permit in place of the contractor! This is one of the best steps, as these code officials diligently make sure the contractors are properly licensed before releasing the permit, and in some municipalities, require bonding or code inspections. (Some local codes offices are waiving permit fees during this crisis!)
LICENSE REQUIRED BY LAW
It is good to know, a license is required by law before a contractor may even make an offer or contract. Those contracting directly with the homeowner are typically called the general (prime) contractor; a subcontractor is one who contracts directly with the licensed contractor, and not the owner. The following describes the type of license required by law:

A “Contractor’s” license is required for projects where the total cost or contract price is $25,000 or more;
A “Home Improvement” license is required for projects $3,000 to $24,999, in the following eight (8) counties: Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Robertson, Rutherford and Shelby.
Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Trades – Check with local government requirements, as these trades typically require a minimum of a local license and permit for inspections, regardless of the cost. (A Limited License for Electricians (LLE) and Plumbers (LLP) are issued by the State in most areas without a code office). A license is required by these trades for both a prime and subcontractor.

LICENSE SEARCH TIPS
It is important to know if the contractor is properly licensed with the correct classification and monetary limit to perform work on a project.
Verify the license at the Board’s website
Active Status – Click onto http://verify.tn.gov or “License Search” to check a contractor’s status to ensure that they have both an “Active – Fully Licensed” status and current expiration date.
License # or Name Search – Check the license by their lD # or name as licensed. If unsure, enter part of the name in the “Name” field, only, with the percentage sign, such as “ %Jones “ and it will bring up all licenses with this as part of the name.
Classification and Limit – All “contractor” licensees have a monetary limit and classification designated on their license.
Click onto “Details” by their licensed ID # to review the next page, and scroll down to see their license classification and monetary limit.
The acceptable classification for residential building and repair would be within one of the “BC” building categories such as: BC-A (Residential); BC (Residential, Commercial and Industrial).

See the Board’s website a complete “Classification Outline” for more details.
Monetary limit is the amount the contractor is approved to contract, plus 10%) is assigned to the contractor’s license based upon their financial statement and experience.
Consumers may also verify a license status and complaint history by calling our office toll-free at 800-544-7693.

COMPLAINT HISTORY
The “Disciplinary Action” reports and “Problem Contractor” list will only disclose “closed” complaints. Those cases which are still open and pending an investigation or disciplinary hearing, are not listed and you would need to check with our Board on their complaint history. The Board’s website has “Consumer Resources” with links to the Division of Consumer Affairs; Better Business Bureau (BBB); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); and also check with the “Division of Insurance” for more relative information.
Following these tips may prevent a natural disaster from further resulting into a man-made one.

Due to the current conditions of the building industry, several licensed contractors are available and offer competitive price estimates.
Should you encounter problems while rebuilding or wish to report an unlicensed contractor, you may do so by completing a complaint form from the website or contacting the Board’s office.
Website: http://tn.gov/commerce/boards/contractors/
Telephone: 800-544-7693

OTHER RESOURCES
Better Business Bureau (BBB) – Check complaint history and tips to prevent scam artists.
http://nashville.bbb.org/
Local Government Officials
http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/local/index.html
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) – Disaster Assistance Information
http://www.tnema.org/
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation – Mold Tips
http://health.state.tn.us/environmental/mold.htm
Tennessee Department of Heath – Flood and Safety Tips
http://health.state.tn.us/floodandsafety.htm

Flood Recovery Tips from UT Extension

Flood Recovery Tips from UT Extension
(and the national network of land grant universities, extension, including the Louisiana State University Ag Center)

From flood clean-up and recovery to assistance and relief contacts, this looks like a great resource.

State to Offer Food and Cash Assistance to Eligible Low Income Flood Victims

State to Offer Food and Cash Assistance to Eligible Low Income Flood Victims

Small Business Assistance for Flood Recovery

SBA, the Small Business Administration, has a video that walks a business owner affected by a disaster like the flood that hit Hickman County. It details disaster assistance available through SBA to homeowners and businesses. http://training.sba.gov:8000/response

SBA also has a Fact Sheet About U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loans that summarizes its home disaster loans, business physical disaster loans and economic injury disaster loans.

Another thing to remember is that casualty loss can possibly be claimed as a deduction on federal income tax returns. For some information on how this deduction can be claimed, see the "Casualty Loss for Flood Victims" Victims bulletin.