THE TAMPA BAY REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL (TBRPC) IS SEEKING EDA FUNDING TO DEVELOP AND HOST A SERIES OF HURRICANE-READINESS TRAINING EXERCISES ACROSS ITS SIX-COUNTY REGION. TBRPC WILL ORGANIZE SIX DISTINCT TABLETOP EXERCISES UPDATED FOR 2024 UNDER ITS PROJECT PHOENIX UMBRELLA. THESE EXERCISES WILL CONVENE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STAFF, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF, BUSINESS LEADERS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FROM EACH COUNTY WITHIN THE TAMPA BAY REGION, INCLUDING CITRUS, HERNANDO, HILLSBOROUGH, MANATEE, PASCO AND PINELLAS. THE PROJECT PHOENIX TABLETOP EXERCISE MODELS A SERIES OF EVENTS DURING AND AFTER A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE STRIKE IN THE TAMPA BAY REGION, SIMULATING A COMPLETE DISRUPTION OF CORE ECONOMIC INDUSTRIES AND THE DESTRUCTION OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE. THE INTENDED OUTCOME OF THE EXERCISES IS TO HELP MAKE SMALL BUSINESSES MORE RESILIENT TO STORM EVENTS WHILE CREATING CONNECTIONS AND IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DISCIPLINES TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY AND RESILIENCY.