I recently came across an interesting federally-funded challenge where Americans are encouraged to share any ideas where innovations in technology can be applied to improve disaster preparedness. All you have to do is email disastertech@ostp.gov your idea and hope for a response. Below is the email I sent today.

Thanks for the opportunity to share my innovation in disaster preparedness and post-disaster economic recovery.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, up to 40% of businesses affected by a natural or man-made disaster never reopen. There is a way to fix this problem and it has to do with individual and organizational purchasing power.

Retail centers are impeccably organized and conveniently located for a reason. It makes it easy for consumers to walk half-blind into any shop and exit with handfuls of items in only minutes. However, in the event of a disaster 40% of the businesses that fill these retail center will close and never reopen.

A small business can experience a rapid decline in sales after a disaster for a number of reasons including reduced foot-traffic or the inability to send and receive supplies. We know that small businesses are the beating heart of community. This is why preparedness and post-disaster economic recovery efforts should single out small business owners who are dedicated to getting up and running immediately after a disaster.

Here is the innovative idea for you to consider. What if consumers and organizations could direct their purchasing power to small businesses in need immediately after a disaster? Our purchasing power would serve as the “electric shock” required to revive to the heart of any community. I have been working on a business called Recovery Pledge to do just that.

Recovery Pledge takes a purely private sector approach to disaster recovery. From Hurricane Katrina and Sandy to the recent fires in California and Colorado, disasters just happen. The Recovery Pledge mission is focused on reducing the number of small business failures after a catastrophic event. We are not a charitable organization that sends money or aid. Instead, we offer a marketplace whereby you can support local businesses by simply purchasing their products and services in advance to stabilize their sales immediately after a disaster.

Thanks again for the opportunity to share my idea. Let me know if I can provide you with our business plan or any additional information. Please keep up the great work.

Thanks for reading my twenty-second blog post.
The Republican Millennial