Gov. Charlie Baker and local officials in Lawrence, North Andover, and Andover announced a $1 million emergency loan fund for companies that may be struggling after this month’s gas fires and explosions.
Businesses will be allowed to borrow up to $50,000 to cover payroll and replace any inventory lost after the explosion. Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera says the money will help some of these companies stay open but still expects people to file claims with Columbia Gas for losses.
“This is just a way to get cash in people hands … there’s still the claims process and we expect they will fulfill their responsibilities,” Rivera told WGBH News.
Business owners can start to apply for the loans starting Monday.
“It’s fair for Columbia Gas to pay the owners of these business for all the trouble they’ve been through,” lifelong Lawrence resident Richard Bregoli said. “They should pay it right up, there should be no loans at all.”
