Free recovery event for storm victims set for Merrillville
The Black Chamber of Commerce is hosting a gathering at Hidden Lake Park to help residents with disaster loans and grants.
By Leila Mansour ·
Merrillville, Ind. Residents and small business owners affected by the June tornado can access free disaster recovery services at a community event scheduled for Thursday, November 5. The Black Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Indiana is hosting the gathering, titled “From Recovery to Resilience,” at the Hidden Lake Park Pavilion.
The event begins at noon at 6355 Broadway. Organizers are inviting homeowners, renters, and business owners who experienced damage from the severe weather. The primary goal is to connect attendees with financial assistance and disaster recovery programs. Participants will also receive resources to help prepare for future emergencies.
One of the key services available on site is help with applications for the R4R Mitigation Grant. Eligible small businesses can compete for grants of up to $5,000. According to event organizers, completing a qualifying resilience course is a requirement for this funding. The grant is designed to support long-term preparedness and help businesses withstand future weather-related disruptions.
Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Recovery program will also be present. These experts will assist homeowners, renters, and businesses with disaster loan applications related to the June tornado. Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop and relevant application documents to take full advantage of the on-site help.
Lois Whittaker, founder and CEO of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Indiana, said the event aims to help people move beyond immediate storm recovery. “Recovery is about more than rebuilding what was lost; it’s about equipping our communities with the resources, knowledge and support to emerge stronger,” Whittaker said. She added that the event brings residents and business owners together with experts to build greater resilience.
The Chamber is partnering with the SBA and the Legacy Foundation, Lake County’s community foundation, for the event. The gathering will include a presentation of results from a community survey on environmental concerns. It will also offer a space for attendees to connect with participating organizations and ask questions about available resources. Admission is free, but registration is requested.
Participants can register by scanning the QR code on the event flyer or visiting the online registration page at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/from-recovery-to-resilience. For more information, people can call 219-771-8900 or email the organization directly.
