Disaster Recovery and Redevelopment
The purpose of the Beaufort County Disaster Recovery Plan is to provide Beaufort County with a strategic plan to guide actions and decision-making in disaster recovery and redevelopment, and to provide a supportive framework to support municipal recovery.
The plan provides the basis for consistent treatment of redevelopment issues throughout the county via cooperative and supportive relationships. Recovery and redevelopment actions will be based upon need, level of damage and funding available.
Beaufort County Disaster Recovery Website: http://www.beaufortcountydisasterrecovery.net
State and Local Resources
As the State of South Carolina’s lead economic and community development agency, the South Carolina Department of Commerce is engaged in providing services to businesses and communities in the state. While the agency is best known for its efforts to recruit new businesses to South Carolina, it also provides services to help communities improve their quality of place and helps existing employers identify and meet opportunities and challenges - all with the goal of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of South Carolinians.
The Disaster Contractors Network (DCN)’s website is designed to help connect contractors and homeowners/business owners who need repairs after disasters and can serve to connect building contractors with subcontractors and material vendors.
The Lowcountry Council of Governments works to identify and capitalize on the development potential in South Carolina’s counties in the low country region. The COG provides a myriad of resources for businesses and developers looking to do business in the low country of South Carolina.
The University of South Carolina Beaufort’s Small Business Development Center is a one-stop resource center for a variety of counseling, workshops and information services for existing businesses and start-ups. The Small Business Development Center is also available to help guide people through the process of applying for SBA federal emergency business loans. Contact Area Manager at the USCB Small Business Development Center 843-521-4143.
The South Carolina Department of Insurance provides a wealth of information about the state's insurance climate, and it lists answers to many questions about the logistics of filing insurance claims, complaints against insurance companies and other general questions.
Federal Resources
National Response Framework
FEMA: National Disaster Recovery Framework
Public Assistance Handbook, FEMA
PA Program and Policy Guide version 5 (January, 2025)
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as Amended, and Related Authorities FEMA 592, May 2021. Stafford Act, as Amended - FEMA P-592 vol. 1 May 2021
Business Disaster Recovery Funding Sources
All businesses seeking disaster assistance should request forms to start the application process for federal disaster loans administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Businesses do not have to go to the SBA disaster recovery centers to apply for assistance.
The U.S. Small Business Administration website contains a wealth of information for businesses seeking loans, grants or general assistance from the Small Business Administration. The U.S. Small Business Administration's Disaster Recovery website contains information regarding Disaster Notices, its Disaster Recovery Mission, Disaster Declarations, FAQ's about SBA Disaster Loans, and Loan Information including Home & Property Loans, Physical Disaster Loans, Economic Injury Loans, Military Reservist Loans, and Disaster Loans Approved.
SBA offers Physical Disaster Business Loans to repair or replace any business that are located in a declared disaster area. The SBA makes physical disaster loans of up to $2 million to qualified businesses.
SBA’s Economic Injury Loans for Small Businesses provides financial assistance to small businesses that suffered substantial economic injury, regardless of physical damage, and are located in a declared disaster area.
The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization centralizes information to provide businesses with information about how to work with the Department of Homeland Security. Designed to assist the business community, the information includes links to contracts, grants, small business opportunities, research and development, and contacts.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has created the Hurricane Contracting Information Center, which provides a central point of reference for businesses, especially minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses and small- and medium-size enterprises, to register for and become aware of federal contracting opportunities. While the HCIC does not award contracts, its mission is to ensure that businesses understand the process and are aware when opportunities may become available.
Vendors wanting to provide products or services in the disaster affected areas should visit www.sam.gov/. Vendors that are new to federal contracting should start by registering at this site.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development offers programs to finance business development programs in rural areas (population of 25,000 or less).
The U.S. Department of Labor CareerOneStop connects workers needing jobs with employers who want to hire them. The site also allows employers to list available jobs online.
Following a disaster, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) often changes tax laws that benefit small businesses affected by the disaster. The IRS website provides information about the types of tax relief assistance available to areas affected, along with other general information about the IRS and its services.