By Zoe Matthews, Eagle Tribune | Hundreds of businesses were affected when fires and explosions ripped through South Lawrence and the Andovers last month.
Many businesses have since opened, with some restaurants serving food on a limited basis as they try to get gas back to their kitchens. But the struggle toward normalcy continues, as business owners are faced with lost wages for employees and diminished revenue for themselves.
On Wednesday, Columbia Gas announced it would open three resource centers to specifically assist businesses, in an initiative the company is calling "Back-to-Business."
"Nearly 700 businesses have been affected by this tragic event. While 80 percent of those businesses are currently open, Columbia Gas is working hard to help all impacted businesses serve their communities just as they did before the Sept. 13 incident,” said Pablo Vegas, chief restoration officer for Columbia Gas. “We recognize the impact the incident of Sept. 13 has had on the local business community, and the challenges they will continue to have even after gas service is restored. We are committed to helping these businesses get back up and running as soon as possible.”