Author Discusses Entrepreneurs as Leaders in the Aftermath of Natural Disasters

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Media Contact: Eric Eckert (254) 710-1964
WACO, Texas (Feb. 11, 2016) – Virgil Storr, Ph.D., senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center, will give a lecture on his most recent book, "Community Revival in the Wake of Disaster: Lessons in Local Entrepreneurship," from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23, in Room 240 of the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation.
Storr is being hosted by Baylor's John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise and the Dr Pepper Museum and Free Enterprise Institute.
"The Dr Pepper Museum and Free Enterprise Institute is excited to collaborate with the Baylor University Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise to bring Dr. Virgil Storr to Waco," said Jack McKinney, executive director of the museum and institute. "It is through a partnership like this that we are able to share the story of Free Enterprise with the public, and bring attention to the importance of this economic system both locally and globally."
Storr's book, co-written with authors Stefanie Haeffele-Balch and Laura E. Grube, explores how local entrepreneurs can help a community recover from natural disasters, pointing out that restoration comes not only from the government stepping in to provide aid, but also from the work of individual business owners and community leaders that become rallying points for local residents. Storr argues that those individuals have the potential to make the most difference in a community after a disaster.
Looking at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and Hurricane Sandy in New York, the book demonstrates how entrepreneurs can overcome common problems of post-disaster relief efforts by accessing the resources that communities need to rebuild and providing the collective action to affect positive change.
"Local small businesses are such a critical component of community recovery post disaster. Dr. Storr does a fantastic job of delving into the recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy and focusing on the impact that independent entrepreneurs can have," said Steve Bradley, Ph.D., director of free enterprise at the Baugh Center. "Dr. Storr’s argument that 'creating a space for entrepreneurs to act after disasters is essential for promoting recovery and fostering resilient communities' is spot on."
"Community Revival in the Wake of Disaster" is Storr's third book. A signing will follow the presentation. This event is free and open to the public.
The Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation is located at 1621 S. Third St., Waco, TX 76706.
by Jenna Press, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
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