By Eric Eyre
Flood-damaged small businesses in West Virginia already are receiving cash assistance through the state and a private donor, Commerce Secretary Keith Burdette told state lawmakers Monday.
So far, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's RISE flood-recovery program has approved 42 applications from small businesses and paid out $363,000.
The businesses are using the money - payments range from $2,000 to $10,000 - to pay bills, make repairs and meet payroll.
"When delivering the checks, the number of tears in the room has been overwhelming at times," said Burdette during a House-Senate economic development committee meeting Monday. "These are great small businesses, and they are struggling mightily. This will not solve all their problems, but it's helping."