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Blue River Businesses Look Toward Rebuilding After Catastrophic Fire

Melanie Stanley; Inciweb.

Many small businesses were destroyed or damaged in last month’s wildfires. KLCC spoke with one store owner in Blue River who’s hopeful her business – and community – rebound.  

Melanie Stanley lost Meyer’s General Store and her own home to the Holiday Farm Fire that erupted Labor Day.  

"A couple of supports, some bricks…and some trees, and not much else.” 

Stanley says thankfully, she was insured. She’s waiting for insurance adjusters to make it out to Blue River, to take photos and assess the damage. As for other owners, the Small Business Administration has disaster loans they can apply for.  Stanley adds…

“For the uninsured…gosh, it’s going to be a long road. But make sure that they’re making those contacts with FEMA and all the other resources that are available to them because it’s working, but it’s just taking a little bit longer.” 

Stanley expects to rebuild her store, with the same character as the previous one. Hundreds of structures were razed in the fire, with just one casualty.

Copyright 2020, KLCC.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.