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Small business assistance

How to be a part of sustainable change in the So-Cal business community.

Small Business Integrity Initiative

As a small business, you can thrive by preparing for and adapting to unexpected challenges, whether it’s a natural disaster, economic downturn, or supply chain disruption.

Benefits of resilience and readiness for your business.

  • Minimize downtime and financial losses during disruptions.

  • Recover faster from unforeseen events.

  • Build trust with customers and partners who value reliability & preparedness.

What does “resilience” mean for businesses?

Business resilience is your company’s ability to adapt, recover, and keep operating when faced with challenges. It’s about more than just surviving a crisis. It’s about bouncing back stronger and being ready for whatever comes next.

Resilience involves planning for risks, creating backup strategies, and making sure your team knows what to do when the unexpected happens. This could mean having emergency plans in place, diversifying suppliers, or investing in technology that helps you stay connected and operational during disruptions.

Why business resilience matters now.

  • Natural disasters, cyberattacks, and economic shifts are happening more frequently.
  • Customers and partners are looking for businesses they can count on, even in tough times.
  • Regulations and insurance requirements may increasingly demand continuity planning.

Preparing for disruption isn’t just smart. It’s essential for staying open, competitive, and relevant.

Resilient businesses are better equipped to survive and recover from disasters, both natural and economic.

Something to think about:

A company with a solid backup plan for data and remote work can keep serving customers even if its main office is inaccessible after an earthquake.

Similarly, a business that maintains diverse suppliers is less likely to face shortages if one source is disrupted, as seen during the 2020 COVID outbreak.

How to Prepare For climate resilienceDisaster Planning & Recovery Program

Simple ideas for improving environmental friendliness.

Tools available to California businesses.

Tools to help you assess your current resilience:

Resources to help you plan and recover:

Funding opportunities are available to help your business build resilience.

These programs help businesses prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptions—while maintaining operations and protecting jobs.

SBA Disaster Assistance Loans

The Small Business Administration offers low-interest loans to help businesses recover from declared disasters, covering repairs, equipment, and working capital.

Find Disaster Loan Information ↗

Main Street Climate Resiliency Toolbox

The Main Street Goes Green Accelerator is a program designed to help small businesses adopt environmentally sustainable practices by providing resources, tools, and partnerships to support their transition to green initiatives.

Find help to adapt ↗

California Green Business Network

Become a certified green business in California—save resources, gain recognition, and make a positive impact in your community.

Get certified ↗

Climate Success Stories in Action

GreenScape (San Bernardino, CA)

GreenScape is strengthening the community while transforming urban landscapes in San Bernardino through innovative community gardening projects that promote sustainability and environmental stewardship. 
Since its inception, GreenScape has:

  • Established over 12 acres of community gardens across various neighborhoods, producing 20,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables annually.

  • Reduced food insecurity in the surrounding communities by 25%, while improving air quality with a 15% decrease in pollution in areas with gardens.

  • Secured a $1.2 million contract to revamp and maintain public parks and green spaces, creating local jobs and enhancing community well-being.

Source: Nucamp

City of Riverside and the California Green Business Initiative

The City of Riverside, working with the California Green Business Network, has enabled thousands of small businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices, cut costs, and support Riverside County’s climate change goals.

Through this collaboration:

  • Over 4,000 businesses have conserved resources, saving more than 742 million gallons of water and reducing energy usage.

  • Businesses receive individualized support to implement measures such as waste reduction, greenhouse gas emission reductions, and energy efficiency upgrades at no personal cost.

  • Certified green businesses gain public recognition for their efforts, including promotional materials to showcase their sustainability achievements.

Source: Highlander

Microenterprise Collaborative’s role in advancing small business resiliency.

Our commitment to local small businesses and entrepreneurs includes:

  • Help entrepreneurs adapt to disruptions like climate change, disasters, or economic shifts.
  • Promote sustainable practices, resource efficiency, and disaster readiness.
  • Offer tools, training, and tailored support to reduce costs and strengthen operations.
  • Connect business owners with resource partners and government programs for a more informed, resilient community.

Get recognized as a resilient business.

SME Climate Hub Action Courses

Participate in initiatives such as the SME Climate Hub and enroll in their online action courses to demonstrate your dedication to sustainability. Engaging in climate action through these courses allows businesses to unlock new opportunities and enhance their resilience for the future.

Get Certified