Small Business Help

By Mark Geary, Reporter

Tools

By Mark Geary

Story Created: Aug 26, 2008 at 7:17 PM CST

Story Updated: Aug 26, 2008 at 7:17 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce reports the federal government has turned down about half of the small businesses that applied for flood-relief loans.

The Chamber also says national studies show about forty-percent of business affected by a disaster never recover.

The Chamber set up a fund to give small businesses $20,000 grants, but that fund is almost empty.

Now, Chamber leaders are asking donors to help replenish the money.

Places that have received the cash, like Benz Beverage Depot, are proof the program works.

However, the owners of Benz have the same financial concerns as a lot of small businesses affected by the flood.

"It's been a trial and error process. There's not a lot of good information out there about what you should do,” co-owner Tiffany Earl said.

Benz applied for a federal loan and just received the money, but it's not as comforting as you might think.

"It's a little scary because you're taking on twice as much debt to restart,” Earl said.

Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce also gave the business about twenty-grand to help it bounce back. That's because Chamber leaders say business needs are just as important as housing needs.

"If we can get people back to work and make sure they have a job, we'll figure out a way to shelter them,” Cedar Rapids Chamber President and CEO Lee Clancey said.

Chamber officials say they had to step forward because state and federal lawmakers weren't moving fast enough.

"I'm disappointed. I'm frustrated. I think they are not doing what we elected them to do,” Clancey said.

Benz still hasn't reopened quite yet, but with the limited funding they have received, they've been able to keep every employee on the payroll.

"I believe in our business. I believe our employees make it a success,” Earl said.

Instead of thinking of this as a disaster, these employees and managers view the flood as an opportunity to make Benz even better.

Benz suffered about three-quarters of a million dollars worth of damage. If all goes well, the business should reopen by the end of next month.

Next Article Most Cedar Rapids Police Cars Missing Dash Cameras During Upgrade

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.

read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.