releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ea2cdff8-dd1a-4f33-ad9d-8f5a96e027e3
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ea2cdff8-dd1a-4f33-ad9d-8f5a96e027e3 | Heitkamp Bill to Improve Disaster Relief for Small Businesses Unanimously Passes U.S. Senate | 2015-11-02 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | Bill Would Help Small Businesses Impacted by Flooding & other Natural Disasters Recover WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced that her bill to provide better protections to small businesses impacted by natural disasters, such as flooding or drought, passed unanimously in the Senate. After hearing from small businesses in North Dakota about the challenges with recovering from flooding or severe storms, Heitkamp drafted legislation to help them access federal disaster funds quicker, so they can get their businesses back up and running while also helping local economies recuperate. Heitkamps bill passed as part of a larger package of disaster relief legislation. Starting a small business is no small feat, and if disaster strikes, small business owners should have access to needed and quick federal support to help them get back up and running, said Heitkamp. Flooding is no stranger to North Dakota, but even with warnings it can devastate communities, as we saw during the historic 2011 flood in Minot. Many of these small business owners put everything into starting and running their businesses which also create jobs and grow the local economy. By passing my legislation to help businesses like those in Minot, the Senate showed it supports commonsense solutions for entrepreneurs to weather storms and natural disasters so they are able to continue operating and support their communities as they recover. Heitkamps Small Business Disaster Reform Act would specifically help small businesses apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for assistance in the aftermath of natural disasters, so they are not forced to use their personal homes as collateral on disaster loans under $200,000. Instead, her legislation would allow the SBA to accept the borrowers other business assets as collateral, if available. Additionally, Heitkamps bill would provide the flexibility needed to allow out-of-state Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) to assist small businesses, in neighboring states struck by a natural disaster, providing for a quicker response time when most needed. Last Congress, Heitkamp joined a bipartisan coalition of Senators in supporting the bill. Heitkamp has been a strong advocate for small businesses in North Dakota which include 96 percent of employers in the state and sought to help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters by: Pushing for federal funds to help communities impacted by flooding recover. In 2013, Heitkamp helped secure tens of millions of dollars through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to help Minot rebuild and secure housing and service opportunities for working families, as well as to expand economic opportunities. As a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Heitkamp helps oversee HUD and the CDBG and works to make sure the program expands and supports North Dakotas housing needs. Heitkamp has worked to secure federal funds and pushed for permanent flood protections throughout the state to protect communities affected by the 2011 flooding, including Minot and Fargo. Making sure small businesses that fall on hard times due to disasters, like flooding, get resources to bounce back. In 2014, Congress passed legislation, which included bipartisan legislation Heitkamp pushed for, to make flood insurance affordable and protect North Dakota homeowners. Also in 2014, the President signed into law legislation, backed by Heitkamp, to support water infrastructure projects in North Dakota, includingpermanent flood protection for more than 200,000 residentsin Fargo and surrounding areas. Bringing the head of the SBA to North Dakota to hear firsthand from local small businesses. Senator Heitkamp brought SBA Administer Maria Contreras-Sweet to Fargo to host the first Senate Small Business Committee field hearing in the state. Heitkamp brought together entrepreneurial leaders from the Fargo area to discuss the strong growth of startups in North Dakota and to highlight the importance of investing both private and public funds -- in rural areas like North Dakota. Heitkamp and Contreras-Sweet also met with successful female small business owners and tribal and business leaders. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |