WESTERLY, RI -- U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today visited the Westerly NAPA Auto Parts store to meet with business owner Jamie Silvestri and his employees. Although the business was devastated by last year’s historic flood, Mr. Silvestri, with the help of the local community, has been able to rebuild and expand.
Mr. Silvestri’s family has run the auto parts shop in Westerly for over 60 years, and the company also has branches in Mystic and Colchester, Connecticut.
When the Westerly shop on Canal Street was hit by flooding last year, the store’s inventory was wiped out and the business interruption insurance policy did not cover hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of flood damage. However, with the help of friends, customers, volunteers, and financial aid from the Westerly Chamber of Commerce’s Flood Assistance Program and $300,000 in federal Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance, Mr. Silvestri managed to keep his auto parts shop afloat and reopened for business in the old EbLens location on Granite Street.
“We have come a long way, but there are many local businesses that are still recovering from the flood, and I want to ensure they get the assistance they need,” said Senator Reed. “Mr. Silvestri is a great example of someone who was able to turn tragedy into opportunity. His business was hit hard by the flooding. But through hard work and determination, and with the help of his neighbors and customers, and support from the SBA, his business is not just recovering from the flood -- it is growing.”
Reed also noted that during the flooding, after the auto parts shop had to be evacuated due to safety reasons, Mr. Silvestri spent the next two days working around the clock in his capacity as a volunteer firefighter, selflessly devoting his efforts toward helping others in need.
“When times are tough, it is heartening to see people come together and lend a hand to those in need. I salute Mr. Silvestri and his employees for their efforts, and I’m pleased that through it all, they are maintaining their commitment to serve the community here in Westerly,” concluded Reed.
To date, more than $100 million in direct federal aid has already been allocated to Rhode Island to help families and businesses recover from last year’s historic flood.
WESTERLY, RI -- U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today visited the Westerly NAPA Auto Parts store to meet with business owner Jamie Silvestri and his employees. Although the business was devastated by last year’s historic flood, Mr. Silvestri, with the help of the local community, has been able to rebuild and expand.
Mr. Silvestri’s family has run the auto parts shop in Westerly for over 60 years, and the company also has branches in Mystic and Colchester, Connecticut.
When the Westerly shop on Canal Street was hit by flooding last year, the store’s inventory was wiped out and the business interruption insurance policy did not cover hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of flood damage. However, with the help of friends, customers, volunteers, and financial aid from the Westerly Chamber of Commerce’s Flood Assistance Program and $300,000 in federal Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance, Mr. Silvestri managed to keep his auto parts shop afloat and reopened for business in the old EbLens location on Granite Street.
“We have come a long way, but there are many local businesses that are still recovering from the flood, and I want to ensure they get the assistance they need,” said Senator Reed. “Mr. Silvestri is a great example of someone who was able to turn tragedy into opportunity. His business was hit hard by the flooding. But through hard work and determination, and with the help of his neighbors and customers, and support from the SBA, his business is not just recovering from the flood -- it is growing.”
Reed also noted that during the flooding, after the auto parts shop had to be evacuated due to safety reasons, Mr. Silvestri spent the next two days working around the clock in his capacity as a volunteer firefighter, selflessly devoting his efforts toward helping others in need.
“When times are tough, it is heartening to see people come together and lend a hand to those in need. I salute Mr. Silvestri and his employees for their efforts, and I’m pleased that through it all, they are maintaining their commitment to serve the community here in Westerly,” concluded Reed.
To date, more than $100 million in direct federal aid has already been allocated to Rhode Island to help families and businesses recover from last year’s historic flood.
