[20011129]RS21061_小企业灾难援助：Responding to the Terrorrist Attacks.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21061Updated November 29, 2001Small Business Disaster Assistance:Responding to the Terrorist AttacksBruce K. MulockSpecialist in Government and BusinessGovernment and Finance DivisionSummaryIn addition to causing the loss of more than 4,000 human lives, the September 11thterrorist attacks destroyed or shut down an estimated 15,000 businessesthe vastmajority being small businessesin and around New York Citys World Trade Centercomplex. Staggering as these business losses were, they account for only a small fractionof the impact nationwide. Serious economic injury resulting from the attacks quicklyspread to countless firms across the United States.On the whole, start-ups and other small businesses have been particularly hard-hitbecause they are generally less prepared financially and otherwise to deal with crisis. Incontrast, virtually all large firms already had written disaster plans. Certain types of smallbusinesses have been disproportionately affected. Those especially hard hit: suppliers,service providers, or firms in complementary industries to those sectors mos