Public-private cooperation vital to storm recovery

In the aftermath of the worst weather disaster to hit the U.S. since Hurricane Katrina, the response from the business community has been nothing short of admirable.

Fortune 500 companies and small businesses across Fairfield County have stepped up to the plate, donating millions of dollars in direct aid and in-kind services to businesses and individuals needing electricity, meals, hot showers, shelter and hope.

But with nationwide damage and economic losses projected at $30 billion to $50 billion, it will be a long road back.

Paramount to a speedy recovery is an ongoing partnership and dialogue among government, the nonprofit sector and private entities.

The state”™s utilities have made strides since Tropical Storm Irene swept through the Northeast 14 months ago. That, however, is of little consolation to those businesses and homeowners who were without power for nearly a week.

Likewise, state and federal officials”™ presence in Fairfield County in the days following the storm helped to allay some of the frustrations that accompanied the prolonged outages. But, as will always be the case with government, there is still red tape that can and should be removed.

The Malloy administration promised the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority would in the coming weeks begin a thorough review of Connecticut Light & Power”™s and the United Illuminating Co.”™s respective actions.

It imperative the administration see that such a review is promptly carried out and that it is independent of politics.

On the federal side, it is vital that FEMA work to simplify and clarify the process by which individuals and small businesses may apply for disaster-related relief.

The Business Journal reports in this edition that to date, just a quarter of all financing requests made by Connecticut businesses in the wake of Irene resulted in federally backed funds being disbursed to the applicants.

In order to meet the expected demand for federal aid stemming from Hurricane Sandy, that number must be increased through either a clarification of the application process or an easing of the requirements or both.

It”™s time for the public sector to match the private sector and nonprofits in putting their money where their mouth is.