Executive summary 8 I. Introduction 26 II. State government capability 28
STATE INITIATIVES TO ENHANCE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY RESILIENCY
Download 1 Mb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- Small Business Initiative
- Sustainable Agri-Business
- THE CONTINGENCY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF THE CAROLINAS (CPAC)
- NORTH CAROLINA RATE BUREAU
STATE INITIATIVES TO ENHANCE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY RESILIENCYSustainable BusinessBusiness and industry have a key role in the creation of sustainable communities in North Carolina. The economic vitality of communities across the State is directly tied to the economic well-being of local businesses. These businesses—large and small—provide jobs, pay taxes, contribute services, and in many cases add significantly to the community’s identity. The concept of sustainable business is grounded in the recognition of the interdependence of community well-being and business well-being. The two are linked, in that North Carolina’s economy, and that of the nation, continues to shift from a manufacturing-based economy to a service-sector driven economy, and increasingly, an information-based economy. New service sectors are playing a major role in the state’s economy, notably travel, tourism, and retirement. The natural features that attract people to North Carolina also contribute to the state’s vulnerability to natural hazards—including flooding, hurricanes, and earthquakes—and this needs to be factored into the concept of sustainable business. More and more businesses in high hazard areas in North Carolina recognize their exposure to natural disasters. More precisely, the long-term survivability and profitability of business (small business in particular) is increasingly a function of how well business owners or managers in flood, hurricane, or wildfire hazard areas understand their risk to natural disasters and other perils, and incorporate this understanding into business planning and decision-making. NCDEM is capitalizing on this growing awareness of the need to reduce business risk, and has embarked on projects designed to help businesses in the state mitigate against losses from natural hazards. Some of these activities are described below. Small Business InitiativeThe Hazard Mitigation Section of NCDEM carries out the Small Business Initiative, designed to promote risk reduction for businesses in North Carolina, with a focus on small businesses. Through the Initiative, NCDEM has developed a simple yet effective process to implement business continuity planning. The process is being communicated to business persons, lending institutions, and insurers throughout the state. A booklet titled, “Managing Your Business to Minimize Disruption: A Guide for Small Businesses in North Carolina” has been widely disseminated throughout the State. The Guide outlines a series of ten practical, cost-effective steps that small business owners can take to minimize disruption to their livelihoods following a disaster. By reviewing each step, businesses are given a much better idea of what their risks are, what parts of the business need to be protected, and practical steps that can be taken to ensure that they stay in business when the next disaster occurs. Sustainable Agri-BusinessAgriculture in North Carolina and other states that have a farm-based economy has traditionally focused on increased production and efficiency to provide low-cost food for domestic and export markets. Low energy costs, advances in research and technology and complex farm policies aimed at short run solutions have increased production. Recent disasters in North Carolina, and their impact on the agriculture sector and the environment, have focused attention on agricultural practices, the impact of industrial farm operations on the environment, and the resilience of small farmers in the face of mounting debt, exposure to drought, flooding and other natural hazards, and the economics of farming in the twenty-first century. To augment the Small Business Initiative, NCDEM has developed a guide for farmers that illustrates mitigation methods and recovery from disaster. For purposes of developing a risk reduction strategy, agri-business can be organized into the following categories: crop production, livestock production, nurseries, fishing, and forestry. Strategies to minimize agri-business risk to natural hazards and other perils include: protection of farm facilities and equipment; purchase of insurance to cover potential losses; consideration of alternative agriculture management practices that are more flood-resistant; and the promotion of a multi-objective approach to managing an agriculture business operation. THE CONTINGENCY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF THE CAROLINAS (CPAC)The Contingency Planning Association of the Carolinas is a professional peer group which shares information, education and resources in contingency planning in North and South Carolina. CPAC supports proactive preparation for the resumption of business in the event of an unplanned interruption that adversely affects the operation of the organization. Contingency Planning is the process of developing advance arrangements and procedures to enable an organization to respond to a disaster so that support of the critical business functions resumes within a defined time frame, the amount of loss is minimized, and the stricken facilities are repaired or replaced as soon as possible. CPAC provides a forum for the interchange of ideas, topics and information in the field of Business Continuity Planning and disaster recovery. This interchange involves local, state and federal government, the business community and individuals. A benefit of this is the enhancement of effective and efficient communication between government agencies (Incident Command Center or Emergency Management Office) and private business during disaster recovery. CPAC promotes awareness of the value contingency planning can have to business, government and individuals by identifying common problems, proposing resolutions and sharing lessons learned from previous experiences. CPAC also assists in objectively identifying vendor resources which could facilitate effective contingency planning and disaster recovery. NORTH CAROLINA RATE BUREAUThe North Carolina Rate Bureau was created in 1977 by N.C.G.S. 58-36.1. The Rate Bureau is an unincorporated association composed, as the law requires, of all the insurance companies licensed by the Commissioner of Insurance to write in North Carolina. The Bureau is not a state agency, but operates as a body separate and apart from the State, with a governing committee composed of private citizens. The Rate Bureau promulgates rates for insurance against loss to residential real property throughout the State (not including coverages on farm dwellings or buildings). The North Carolina Rate Bureau is currently considering proposals for rate differentials to encourage disaster-resistant construction and retrofit of existing buildings. Hazard resistant construction features such as enhanced roof strength, roof coverings, roof-to-wall strength, wall-to-floor-to-foundation strength, opening protection, and other devices have demonstrated loss reduction to property, and are used in other areas of the country. The development and marketing of insurance products that recognize the value of hazard-resistant features through premium differences can be a strong incentive for property owners to employ structural mitigation techniques. Directory: div div -> 9th May 1950 the schuman declaration div -> Supplemental demographic information div -> Introduction A. Purpose & Authority div -> This section includes changes made during the 2013 update div -> General occupational safety and health rules subdivision z toxic and hazardous substances div -> Computer Basics What is a computer div -> Mobile county, alabama regular board meeting div -> Privacy: Campus Living & Technology Download 1 Mb. Share with your friends:
|