Annapolis Tornado Grants Awarded To 3 Rebuilding Businesses

Annapolis MD

24 January, 2022

11:33 AM

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ANNAPOLIS, MD — Three tornado-damaged businesses won recovery grants last week. Those Anne Arundel County establishments are Annapolis International Market, Chris's Charcoal Pit and Kiddie Academy of Annapolis. "One of the fulfilling aspects of this job is to be able to help residents in times of crisis," Mayor Gavin Buckley said in a press release. "Businesses have been challenged. First with COVID and then a tornado." The grant winners, which are all based on West Street, were hit by a late-summer twister. They were eligible for grants up to $50,000 each. The Annapolis City Council had to sign off on the relief before the awards became official. Ward Three Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell Charles started that process in December 2021. The council unanimously approved the three resolutions at its Jan. 10 meeting. The city submitted its support last Wednesday to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the agency in charge of the grants. "The tornado was a frightening experience and we were so very blessed, and it was indeed a miracle, there was no loss of life," said Pindell Charles, who represents the affected neighborhood. "But for some, the aftermath has also proved challenging. Strained access to capital, delays in financing and limited insurance payouts have left some of these businesses struggling to get back on their feet. I am grateful these DHCD funds are heading their way." The Department of Housing and Community Development only offered loans at first. Pindell Charles and Kevin Simmons, the director of the Annapolis Office of Emergency Management, worked with state officials to give grants instead. That means business owners no longer have to repay the government for this disaster relief. "From that first evening, we heard the resolve of residents and businesses to rebuild," Buckley said. "I am thankful to the state for agreeing to convert the loan programs to grants and also thankful for the work of elected officials and City staff." Grant applications are still open for entrepreneurs and homeowners. Click here to apply. Anybody with questions can contact the Office of Emergency Management. Tornado Aid This is the latest round of relief for the twister victims. The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation sponsored the last round of support. That organization in November awarded $5,000 grants to four Annapolis businesses and one church damaged in the tornado. The U.S. Small Business Administration in October announced low-interest loans and a support office to help Anne Arundel County residents with damaged property. This news came days after Gov. Larry Hogan asked the organization for assistance. Hogan also unveiled a $4 million plan to aid locals hit by the storm. He released that initiative shortly after the Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected Maryland's request for a presidential disaster declaration and its associated relief. RELATED: Tornado Can Shake Store, But Not Determination Of Business Owner Twister Details Anne Arundel County and Annapolis both declared states of emergency after a twister spawned from Tropical Depression Ida on Sept. 1. The states of emergency have since expired, but the damage still remains. The EF-2 tornado reached wind speeds of 125 mph while traveling from Edgewater to Annapolis and causing 3,924 power outages. In the state capital, the twister temporarily displaced 38 residents and left: 5 buildings destroyed25 condemned29 with major damage46 with minor damage Victim Recovery Fundraisers have collected thousands of dollars for affected businesses. A fall festival also supported three Edgewater families who lost their homes in the storm. The Annapolis Town Center additionally hosted a benefit concert that raised more than $10,000 for the victims, WMAR journalist Abby Isaacs reported. To learn more about that charitable show, read WMAR's full story. 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Please contact me at [email protected] with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.