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Representative Nancy Mace Highlights Importance of PREPARE Act for Small Businesses, Coastal Communities

| General Government Relations

Earlier this week, Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Congressional Boating Caucus co-chair, participated in an event in Charleston, South Carolina with recreational boating industry stakeholders and small business owners to highlight the need for passage of the Providing Resources for Emergency Preparedness and Resilient Enterprises Act (PREPARE Act).

The PREPARE Act, co-sponsored by Representative Mace, would provide small businesses with much-needed capital to invest in disaster-resilient infrastructure and in implementation measures that protect against inevitable natural disasters. These loans are particularly crucial for small businesses, including marine businesses, in coastal communities more vulnerable to the changing climate and natural disaster.

Small business and marina owner Chris Butler, owner of Butler Marine, described the hardships his business went through last summer when a micro-tornado hit the Charleston area, destroying 90 percent of Butler Marine’s docks and costing the business $125,000 out of pocket.

With a PREPARE Act loan, Butler notes could have made the repairs and continued to grow his business at the same time.

In coordination with Representative Mace’s office, the NMMA team – along with the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) – organized for the congresswoman to hear from recreational boating industry stakeholders, including Chris Butler and Gettys Brannon, President and CEO, SC Boating and Fishing Alliance, on the importance of climate resilient infrastructure and disaster mitigation – both of which the PREPARE Act would improve, if passed.

Learn more about the PREPARE Act and how its passage will impact small marine businesses.

Local coverage of the event includes:

  • NBC 2, Charleston: Bill would help small marinas prepare and recover from natural disasters
  • ABC 4, Charleston: Rep. Nancy Mace co-sponsors PREPARE Act to help small businesses after disaster
  • FOX 28, Savannah: Rep. Nancy Mace co-sponsors PREPARE Act to help small businesses after disaster


For questions or additional information, please contact Callie Hoyt, director of federal government relations, at [email protected]