Small Firms Fight to Survive After Andrew : Commerce: Thousands try to get back on their feet before it’s too late.

Thousands of small business owners are searching for help and answers as they try to reassemble their companies from scratch in the wake of Hurricane Andrew.

They need money, rental space, equipment and information.

At banks and government offices, they are pleading for quick financial aid. At seminars across Dade County, Fla., they are seeking expert advice to questions they have never had to confront.

Almost 8,700 companies in south Dade County--the vast majority small businesses--were closed by the Aug. 24 storm, according to the Beacon Council, an economic development group.

Hundreds were able to resume operations as soon as power was restored. But four weeks later, thousands of others are struggling to replace damaged offices and showrooms, inventory, computers, telephones and records so they can get back to business.

Hurricane Andrew may prove the final straw for some of the businesses.

“The consensus seems to be if a business is out for six to eight weeks, they will be put out of business,” said Charles Jainarain, director of international research for the council.

“I’ve got so many problems, I don’t know what to do first,” said John Kreiger, owner of Cityscope Inc. His company published fine arts posters, employing four people.

Kreiger said original artwork, a camera and office equipment and inventory worth about $80,000 were destroyed when the second floor of his rented warehouse collapsed.

“We can’t get the landlord to repair it, the electricity doesn’t work. We can’t find a contractor, we can’t get back orders out.

“I don’t know what to do about lost inventory,” said Kreiger, who believes that insurance will cover less than 10% of his loss.

Inevitably, experts say, small companies have the least insurance.

“It’s beyond depression,” said Kreiger. “It’s catatonic depression time.”

Frances Blackwelder saw her home, car and 14-year-old furniture business destroyed by the hurricane. She is struggling just to restore order.

“You don’t know which way to go first,” she said. “See your accountant? Call your customers? My biggest problem is filling out all these forms” for government aid.

She cannot find a dry place to store inventory, and other furniture stores are hiring her employees. Meanwhile, customers are calling to ask when their pre-storm orders will be delivered.

Her suppliers are holding the back-ordered furniture, but “we need a place to have it delivered,” she said.

“Our customers have been really great,” said Blackwelder’s daughter, Barbara Shea, who managed the retail outlet. “But how long will that last?”

Perhaps most frustrating is Blackwelder’s inability to function at a time when there is a massive need for her services. Hurricane Andrew damaged or destroyed more than 100,000 homes and left thousands of families in the market for furniture.

“The furniture business is there,” she said, shrugging helplessly.

At hastily arranged seminars, small business owners are seeking answers for problems they never even imagined.

“I can’t find qualified tradesmen, I can’t find building supplies,” said Jeremiah Lindo, a landlord whose rental units sustained roof damage. “What kind of advantages are available in terms of tax write-offs?”

Lindo said he worries about whether the government will accept tax deductions based on prices before or after the hurricane.