April 16, 2025
BeforeDuringAfter named as communities’ business disaster preparedness resource
Wise County and the City of Decatur have officially partnered with BeforeDuringAfter (B4DA), marking the first time a city and county have formally adopted the program as a platform for emergency information and resources. This milestone agreement establishes a precedent for other municipalities seeking to protect businesses. It represents the first-of-its-kind, Economic Development Corporations (EDCs) partnering with B4DA for an accessible, turnkey approach to disaster response to sustain economic growth.
BeforeDuringAfter is a free online resource designed to help Texas' small businesses prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters and other emergencies. Launched in June 2024, B4DA is a public-private partnership developed by Texas Mutual, TEXSAR, Texas State Institute for Government Innovation, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, OneStar and Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives, with funding support from Wells Fargo.
The partnership with Wise County and Decatur offers several key benefits:
- Boosts Business Preparedness: Local businesses now have access to a centralized resource for disaster planning, checklists and emergency contacts.
- Improves Outreach: B4DA will enhance its educational initiatives through engaging events such as Lunch & Learns, community business fairs and feedback programs.
- Establishes Model for Success: This partnership creates a framework for working with other municipalities looking to enhance emergency awareness and disaster preparedness.
The coalition is proud of this groundbreaking collaboration and excited about its potential to strengthen North Texas businesses and inspire future partnerships. For more information on how this innovative program can protect local businesses and help your community thrive, visit beforeduringafter.com.
Strengthening Texas
Small businesses form the backbone of local economies, yet they are often the most vulnerable during disasters. Our goal with B4DA was to provide free, comprehensive resources that ensure that these small businesses have the tools they need to weather the unexpected and in turn, continue supporting the communities and families who rely on them.
Disaster preparedness and response is directly tied to our corporate citizenship strategy (PDF 4,354KB) and one of the many ways we’re helping create strong, safe and resilient communities. From providing businesses with safety resources to supporting recovery efforts through grant funding in the wake of disasters, taking care of Texans is at the heart of everything we do.