Greater Winston-Salem Inc. is providing financial support for small businesses hurt by the Winston Weaver fire.
Grants of up to $5,000 are available to businesses with up to 25 full-time employees located within a mile of the destroyed fertilizer plant.
The threat of explosion that the fire presented for days led to widespread shutdowns in the area.
Nick Reed is the Chief Financial Officer for Greater Winston-Salem. He says the money will help affected businesses survive.
“There's a wide range of businesses over there,” he says. "There's hair studios, there's tile companies, you name it, it's over there, and it's within a one mile radius. And, you know, I think that this funding will be a great opportunity for those small businesses.”
The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust is providing $220,000 to support the program. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis while money is available.
Editor's note: This transcript was lightly edited for clarity.