Orange County residents affected by a near-explosion of a chemical tank at the border of Garden Grove and Stanton last month can no longer apply for aid from a $3 million relief fund. The fund, managed by United Way, closed after receiving over 6,000 applications.
The incident prompted the evacuation of about 50,000 people due to fears of the tank detonating or spilling toxic chemicals. Fortunately, firefighters managed to contain the tank safely. The fund, which was open for just over a week, aimed to cover costs up to $500 per household, with most funding coming from GKN Aerospace, the company responsible for the chemical tank.
Elizabeth Andrade, executive director of 211 OC, stated that they are processing applications quickly, with responses expected within five business days. However, many residents, including Congressman Derek Tran, believe GKN Aerospace should offer more comprehensive compensation. Tran stated, “Every family and small business that was displaced or shut down during this crisis deserves full compensation.”
GKN Aerospace has not responded to requests for comment but has promised a town hall meeting to address the community’s concerns. County Supervisor Janet Nguyen criticized the company for insufficient efforts, highlighting the financial strain on residents who evacuated for up to five days.
In response to the crisis, the U.S. Small Business Administration opened a Business Recovery Center in Garden Grove to assist affected businesses. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, providing state resources to support local agencies.
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