HCC Helping Minority Businesses Prepare For Hurricane Season

HOUSTON – Part of a $500,000 Disaster Recovery and Resiliency grant the Houston Community College received last year will be used to help local minority-owned businesses still recovering from Hurricane Harvey, and help others prepare for the 2019 hurricane season, college officials announced Friday.

Houston Community College (HCC) received the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce last October, and began collaborating with businesses on various programs to help with contingency planning.

"Our goal is to support our Houston small businesses that are struggling to recover from natural disaster and other possible business disruptions," said Mark Praigg, Interim Director Houston MBDA Business Center, which is operated by HCC. "We recognize the major contributions small businesses make to our local economy and the number of jobs that would be lost should they not recover."

The workshops provide a host of valuable resources that help with contingency and disaster planning. Workshops will be held throughout the summer with the first taking place on Thursday, May 30 and ending Aug. 17.

"Hurricane season is upon us again, and we want to make small businesses aware that we are here for them," said Praigg. "Every workshop or seminar is either free or at minimal cost."

Small business leaders can find and print a downloadable business resiliency resource guide by clicking here or call 713-718-6522 to learn more about the Minority Business Development Agency.