DURHAM, N.C. — Gov. Roy Cooper wants the federal government's help in assisting businesses in a North Carolina city also feeling the results of a deadly natural gas explosion at cash registers.
Cooper has written the U.S. Small Business Administration asking it take action so that some Durham businesses can access disaster loans after the April 10 explosion. The blast killed one person and injured 25 others.
Cooper's office said the gas leak led to heavy damage to at least nine businesses, destroying four of them. Cooper's letter dated Friday says a survey of affected businesses shows a cumulative economic loss of 40 percent of more compared to the same period a year ago.
An investigation into the explosion continues.
