Help available for storm-ravaged Alabama businesses
Published: Thursday, May 05, 2011, 7:00 AM
By Dawn Kent -- The Birmingham News The Birmingham News
Alabama's economic development agencies are mobilizing to connect businesses affected by last week's deadly tornado outbreak with disaster relief resources that can help put them back on their feet.
The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and the Birmingham Business Alliance have designated space on their websites for storm recovery information.
For EDPA, the focus is small- to medium-sized businesses that don't have the network of a national or global firm to fall back on.
The move fits in with the mission of economic development, said EDPA President Bill Taylor.
"Certainly we have a role in creating jobs, but I think we also have a role in maintaining jobs," he said. "How can we help them be successful? How do we keep businesses alive so they can employ people in the state?"
Those questions have taken on a greater urgency in the wake of the April 27 storms, which demolished businesses across Alabama.
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