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**Senator Sherrod Brown Announces Initiative to Support East Palestine Businesses in Wake of Train Derailment**

Photo by Stephanie Elverd

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Melissa Smith, owner of the 1820 Candle Company, spoke to reporters after a roundtable discussion with business owners in East Palestine. They discussed the new initiative that Brown announced, which aims to support small businesses and boost economic development following the Norfolk Southern train derailment.

The initiative, a revolving fund in collaboration with Valley Economic Development Partners, offers up to $150,000 loans with interest rates as low as one percent to eligible East Palestine businesses. This program is available immediately and will be administered by Valley Partners. Eligible businesses must have no more than 50 employees and revenues of $1 million and under. The goal of the initiative is to drive small business development and startups by providing funding for capital and equipment, among other things.

Jonathan McCracken, the State Director of Rural Development, emphasized the importance of economic development in addition to the ongoing public health recovery. He expressed excitement about partnering with Valley Partners and small businesses in East Palestine to help them thrive, grow, and recover.

The new program is a welcome addition to the support that East Palestine businesses have already received. In June, Governor Mike DeWine announced the East Palestine Emergency Support Program, which allocated up to $5 million to assist businesses impacted by the train derailment. Norfolk Southern also pledged a grant of $500,000 to support economic development in the area.

Haedan Panezott, the county Port Authority’s representative, highlighted the negative impact of the train derailment and the closure of Taggart Street on local businesses. Many businesses experienced a loss of foot traffic, sales, and inventory due to the incident. He emphasized the importance of having access to capital to help businesses recover and praised the new program for providing much-needed resources.

Melissa Smith, owner of the 1820 Candle Company, described the disastrous impact of the derailment on local merchants. Many businesses struggled to make ends meet and faced the challenge of paying rent, staff, and managing inventory during times when sales were low. She suggested that businesses explore e-commerce options as a way to weather future challenges.

Senator Brown acknowledged the difficulties faced by the community and expressed his commitment to helping local businesses and entrepreneurs. He stated that his visits to East Palestine would continue until every need in the community is met. Brown also mentioned the importance of holding Norfolk Southern accountable and ensuring rail safety to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

In addition to the new initiative, Senator Brown, along with other senators, introduced a bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023. This bill aims to enhance and strengthen rail safety by implementing various measures, including two-person crews and increased fines for rail carriers transporting hazardous materials.

Overall, the AI legalese decoder can assist in this situation by making the legal language in the initiative and other related documents more understandable for small business owners. This tool can decode complex legal terminology, making it easier for entrepreneurs to comprehend and apply for the available loans and grants. By providing a clearer understanding of their options, the AI legalese decoder can help East Palestine businesses navigate the recovery process more effectively.

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