Free Disaster Preparedness Workshop for Humboldt Businesses Set for March 23

Four days remain for Humboldt County business owners to register for a free, hands-on Business Disaster Preparedness Workshop hosted by the North Coast Small Business Development Center at StartUp Humboldt Innovation Hub, 876 Seventh Street in Arcata, this Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event is co-sponsored by the Arcata Fire District, Arcata Chamber of Commerce, and Humboldt Made, and is designed to give small business owners concrete tools for surviving disruptions that range from property damage to sustained revenue loss. "Disasters can interrupt operations, damage property, reduce revenue, and threaten longterm stability," event organizers said. "This workshop will help you protect your people, secure your assets and build a practical recovery plan."

The curriculum focuses on three core areas: identifying and ranking business risks, creating emergency procedures for staff, and organizing financial records to support faster recovery and access to disaster assistance. Participants will also work through how to identify mission-critical operations and how to properly document losses for insurance claims and disaster aid applications.

Everyone who attends will leave with a set of ready-to-use resources, including an Emergency Action Plan template, a Business Continuity Plan framework, financial preparedness checklists, and an insurance review worksheet.

Space is limited, and the registration deadline is 5 p.m. on March 23, half an hour before the workshop begins. Register by contacting Wil Franklin at (215) 280-0535 or by scanning the QR code included in event promotional materials.

The North Coast SBDC provides advising and training to entrepreneurs across Humboldt and Del Norte counties, serving businesses at every stage from startup through expansion.