FROM NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK - Recap of Phoenix Awards for Outstanding Disaster Recovery

This week we’re blogging from National Small Business Week, a public-private partnership event to honor and empower America’s small business community. 

We just wrapped up the Phoenix Award banquet, honoring the selfless disaster recovery efforts of four individuals. 

Al Mignacci, a retired engineer, took the community under his wing after tornadoes hit the Stony Brook mobile home development in Raleigh, North Carolina.  He volunteered his time and professional skills to rebuild mobile homes, coordinate other volunteers and personally make construction repairs.

Barry O’Donovan, owner of Kilkenny House restaurant in Cranford, NJ, worked with SBA to get working capital after Hurricane Irene damaged his pub.  Through his community involvement and the help of SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance, he re-opened only six weeks after the disaster.  As Barry remarked, “SBA made it easy for me to get the loan and the working capital for my business.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Gregg Kennedy of Smithville, MS and Mike Fisher of Bastrop County, TX each received awards for outstanding disaster response work as public officials.  Mayor Kennedy, a part-time mayor, took a leave of absence from his full-time job to help out his battered town in the wake of a devastating tornado.  And Mike Fisher led his county’s response to the worst wildfire incident in Texas history, working effectively with state and federal agencies to successfully rebuild Bastrop County.

Congratulations to our Phoenix award winners for their outstanding disaster recovery efforts. Learn more about SBA"s disaster loan programs and emergency preparadeness services. 

Be sure to stay tuned for more updates from throughout the week on our live feed, the SBA blog, Facebook, and Twitter (use hashtag #SBW2012).

About the Author

My name is Nico and I'm serving as a moderator for the Community.