In a recent government meeting, the governor expressed a mix of profound sadness and optimism following a tour of businesses affected by recent disasters. Highlighting the community's resilience, he praised local efforts to rebuild and thanked first responders for their dedication during these challenging times.

To support recovery, the governor announced a new $5 million grant program aimed at assisting impacted businesses. Each eligible business can receive up to $25,000 to cover expenses related to cleanup, lost inventory, and revenue losses. This initiative is designed as immediate, stopgap funding while awaiting federal assistance.

The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) will facilitate biweekly virtual webinars to provide consolidated information from various state agencies, ensuring that the community stays informed and engaged throughout the recovery process. The governor emphasized the importance of small businesses as the backbone of the economy and reiterated the commitment to helping them reopen and thrive.