Is the current drought drying up your customer base? We want to let you know, you’re not alone,
there are resources available. A little planning now can save your business later. The SBDC can help. So don’t delay, start today.
What You Can Do
• Plan ahead. Review how drought, smoke, fire restrictions, road closures, or reduced customer
traffic could affect operations, staffing, cash flow, inventory, and suppliers.
• Use available help. The Southwest Colorado SBDC can provide no-cost, confidential advising and
help with preparedness, continuity planning, recovery options, and SBA disaster loan questions.
• Know your numbers. Keep current profit and loss statements, gross receipts, tax filings, insurance
information, vendor contacts, and employee contact information in a safe place.
• Be careful with public messaging. Do not minimize real risks, but avoid broad or alarmist
statements that make the whole region sound closed or unsafe. Share accurate information and
point customers to official updates.
• Support local. Drought impacts ripple through the regional economy. Eating local, shopping local,
hiring local services, and attending local events help keep dollars circulating in our communities.
• Coach your front-line staff. Employees often answer visitor and customer questions first. Make
sure they know what to say, where to find official updates, and how to redirect people if conditions
change.
Helpful Resources
Southwest Colorado SBDC Portal: Sign up for no-cost, confidential business advising, training, and resource navigation through the Southwest Colorado SBDC.
Business Resilience Guide: Guide and worksheets to help businesses document operations, identify critical relationships, safeguard resources, address financial matters, and build a business continuity plan.
SBA Prepare for Emergencies: Federal small business guidance for assessing risk, creating an emergency response plan, and preparing before disaster strikes.
SBA Disaster Assistance: Information about SBA disaster loan programs, including business physical disaster loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans in declared disasters.
SBA Disaster Declaration Search and MySBA Loan Portal: Tool to check whether your community is included in an active disaster declaration and to begin the SBA disaster loan process if appropriate.
Ready.gov Business Continuity Planning Suite: Templates and planning tools to help businesses identify critical functions, plan for disruptions, and continue operations during and after emergencies.
