Federal Update: Reviving Resilience: Strengthening Disaster Recovery in Rural America

Rural communities face distinct challenges during disaster recovery, requiring federal programs that are responsive, flexible, and tailored to their needs. This session will spotlight the U.S. Small Business Administration’s work to strengthen recovery outcomes in rural areas through rapid deployment of mobile assets, stronger interagency coordination, focused engagement, and targeted policy improvements. Drawing on lessons learned from recent disasters, presenters will share what has proven effective on the ground and where additional support is needed to close persistent gaps. The session will also highlight SBA’s leadership of interagency working groups designed to reduce barriers to assistance and expand strategic support for rural stakeholders. In addition, it will outline the unique disaster declaration authorities available to rural communities and provide an overview of the federal assistance programs that serve them, illustrating how these authorities, partnerships, and resources collectively build resilience and drive long‑term recovery.