State’s small-business survey will help determine best plan for Sandy relief

Small-business owners have a chance to voice their concerns and ideas to the state that could help them get the assistance they need after Hurricane Sandy.

Along with the state Chamber of Commerce, the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the state’s Business Action Center created a business impact assessment for owners who were affected by the storm.

“Helping small businesses means helping the backbone of our economy statewide — and particularly in the hardest-hit shore communities, where our small businesses are a foundation of our way of life,” Gov. Chris Christie said Friday, when announcing the survey. “This business impact survey will help us better understand what resources these businesses need to get back to normal operations, whether it’s low-interest loans, streamlining the permitting process or identifying emerging issues and concerns.”

According to the state, the survey will cover loss information, disaster assistance application status and overall impact of the storm.

CIANJ President John Galandak said the impact of the storm differs by geography and industry, and compiling the data will help put relief funding to best use when it arrives. He added that the parts of the survey discussing planning for future disasters also is of importance, as timing and accuracy are necessary in preparing businesses.

Diane Walsh, vice president of government affairs for CIANJ, said the survey will be sent via e-mail to 14,000 individual addresses in the organization’s database, with a link to the Business Action Center’s business-related disaster assistance programs.