The Entrepreneur's Role in Post-Disaster Community Recovery: Implications for Post-Disaster Recovery Policy

Abstract

Using information gleaned from interviews conducted in the Greater New Orleans region over the last three years, this Policy Primer examines the role that economic entrepreneurs play in post-disaster community recovery and describes how social entrepreneurs promote community resilience.

The authors conclude by proposing policy recommendations that would eliminate artificial barriers to economic and social entrepreneurship and improve the recovery process. In particular, the authors recommend that policy makers relax unnecessary regulations, as in a post-disaster context, such regulations can become not only unwieldy, but also can impede recovery. They also urge policy makers to permit entrepreneurs to step in as soon as possible, because entrepreneurs are in the best position to assess local conditions and needs in the rapidly changing, post-disaster environment.

Keywords: New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, disaster recovery, entrepreneurship