Hurricane could end 5,000 businesses
It’s been 60 days since Hurricane Maria pummeled Puerto Rico and the unincorporated U.S. territory is still far from recovery. Estimates by one financial services firm that provides Small Business Administration-backed loans is estimating that more than 5,000 businesses there will go out of business because of the infrastructure collapse caused by the storm, according to a report by Public Radio International.
“Every day is difficult. Getting a plumber, an electrician, materials,” said one business owner in the PRI report. “I was the only one in this corner who was not looted, and that includes a yoga shop, which has no inventory.” Other businesses owners have also suf- fered. They experienced thefts, lost employees and are unable to invoice their insurance providers because there’s no Internet access. The lack of electricity has shut down many other businesses.
Plenty of organizations are doing their best to help. One — the Foundation for Puerto Rico — has put aside its work promoting tourism and infrastructure and has been providing meeting space, internet access and other resources to farmers and small business owners, as well as $3,000 grants to help businesses get back on their feet. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers have been working round the clock to restore infrastructure.
More than 20 of Puerto Rico’s 78 municipalities are still without power, and more than 140,000 people have fled for the U.S. mainland.
Former President Bill Clinton visited Puerto Rico on Monday and met with those left homeless.
Clinton arrived with medical supplies and solar energy equipment donated by the Clinton Foundation, which has shipped 76 tons of medicine and medical equipment since the storm hit on Sept. 20.
Clinton also visited health clinics and the island’s largest shelter with Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello.
Rossello said Clinton’s visit will help people realize that Puerto Rico still needs relief supplies more than two months after the hurricane hit.
The hurricane killed at least 55 people and caused up to an estimated $95 billion in damage.