Allstate Supports BCLC Disaster Assistance Project

Research Aims to Improve U.S. Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Practices

Washington, D.C.—Concerned about differences in levels of disaster preparedness in the U.S., Allstate has awarded the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) $100,000 to identify and benchmark effective disaster assistance and recovery practices across states. The study will help state and local governments and businesses enhance their ability to withstand and recover from disasters.

"After Katrina, a number of local chambers and businesses asked us what their counterparts in other states had done to recover in the wake of major natural disasters," said BCLC Executive Stephen Jordan. "This project grew out of the fact that there is no central place for businesses to go for disaster recovery best practices. Since future disasters are inevitable, we need this resource."

While disaster relief operations can generate significant outpourings of support, long-term recovery and rebuilding receive comparatively little attention and focus. After Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita, local chambers reported that as much as 80% of their local business members were significantly disrupted. Historically, communities affected by catastrophes have recovered to different degrees — from full recovery to permanent dislocation — and at different rates. States and local municipalities have different levels of preparedness; different disaster response capabilities; and different laws and regulations governing insurance, reconstruction, infrastructure funding and other factors that may affect a community's ability to recover following a disaster.

By identifying and building systems to share best practices among the states, this project should help communities across the country recover more quickly. The study will first determine a list of the most important policy categories that enhance the ability of states to prepare for and recover from disasters. After this initial policy framework is determined by academic research, BCLC will use the categories to compare specific states against common measures. This will enable states to learn from each other about policies that help them "prepare for recovery" — enhance their ability to withstand future disasters.

BCLC, a 501(c)3 affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, manages the U.S. Chamber's Disaster Assistance and Recovery program and serves as a resource and voice for businesses and their social and philanthropic interests. The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million business and organizations of every size, sector and region.

www.uschamber.com/bclc

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