On January 10, 2025, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded $199,999 to Honolulu's Office of Economic Revitalization to bolster disaster preparedness for small businesses on Oʻahu through the Oʻahu Disaster Resiliency Program [917fafac]. This funding aims to provide workshops that will train business owners on effective disaster preparation strategies, ensuring they are better equipped to handle emergencies [917fafac]. Resources related to these initiatives will be accessible via the Oʻahu Business Connector website, facilitating broader community engagement and support [917fafac].
In a parallel effort to support local businesses, the City and County of Honolulu will open the Transit Construction Mitigation Fund (TCMF) Grant Online Portal on January 27, 2025, at 10 a.m. This initiative will provide grants of $10,000 to eligible local businesses affected by the Honolulu Rail Transit Project [679c8e43]. Applications for the TCMF must be submitted by February 7, 2025, and businesses must have fewer than 15 employees and generate less than $750,000 in annual revenue to qualify [679c8e43]. Mayor Rick Blangiardi emphasized the importance of supporting local businesses during this challenging time, particularly as they navigate the impacts of ongoing construction [679c8e43].
The EDA's Keoki Noji highlighted that the disaster preparedness funding specifically supports areas impacted by economic shocks and natural disasters, reinforcing the need for proactive measures in safeguarding local businesses [917fafac]. Mayor Blangiardi also noted the critical importance of disaster preparedness for both community safety and economic resilience, particularly following the major disaster declaration due to severe storms in 2021 [917fafac].
In addition to these recent grants, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) had previously awarded $525,000 to the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) for the Hawaiʻi State Trade Expansion Program (HiSTEP) on October 26, 2024 [cf3686ea]. This program has already assisted over 1,600 companies, generating an estimated $258 million in economic impact and supporting approximately 1,400 local jobs [cf3686ea]. The combination of these initiatives reflects a comprehensive approach to enhancing the resilience and competitiveness of small businesses in Hawaiʻi, addressing both disaster preparedness and international trade expansion [cf3686ea].