Business recovery outreach today

The International Economic Development Council, as the leading international association for professional economic developers, has received a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to support technical assistance for economic recovery and resiliency efforts in the CNMI. The grant is being used to help assess the economic impact of Super Typhoon Yutu on the islands of Rota, Tinian, and Saipan, as well as provide technical assistance in business retention, expansion, and attraction efforts.

The initial team of economic experts from IEDC is visiting the CNMI from June 22 to June 29 to start intake collection on the impacts of the typhoon on business community and overall economy post-Yutu. 

IEDC has been collaborating with the CNMI Department of Commerce, along with the CNMI Office of Planning and Development, the Commonwealth Development Authority, and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce to plan projects that will improve the resiliency of the economy. IEDC experts will assist in creating reports, hosting trainings, and community outreach to help better support businesses in their recovery and to plan for future disasters.

“Following Typhoon Mangkhut and Super Typhoon Yutu, our economic activity was deeply affected. We still remain hopeful and this collaboration with the IEDC provides an opportunity to strengthen our ongoing economic recovery efforts with our federal partners and local government to build upon our resilience against natural disasters,” Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said.

Members of the business community are invited to meet with the IEDC experts to discuss their experiences and give suggestions on how IEDC can help with their business recovery efforts. The outreach will be hosted by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and will take place today, June 24, from 3:30pm to 4:30pm at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce office in the Marianas Business Plaza, room 315. This opportunity is open to all businesses and non-profits in the CNMI.

For more information, contact Nicole Babauta of the Small Business Development Center at 664-3018 or email nbabauta@pacificsbdc.com.

The IEDC is the leading international association for professional economic developers. IEDC supports the work of more than 5,000 economic developers to create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. You can read about IEDC’s disaster recovery efforts at restoreyoureconomy.org/. (PR)