Businesses Begin to Reopen on Grade Lane After UPS Plane Crash
After three weeks of silence, some businesses along Grade Lane are beginning to see signs of progress. The return of electricity and the gradual reopening of parts of the road have brought a sense of relief to local business owners. However, the area is not yet fully operational, and traffic is being redirected at certain points.
A section of the road near Don Hutson Boulevard was reopened on Friday for the first time since the tragic UPS cargo plane crash that claimed 14 lives and led to the closure of the area for investigation. This development marks a significant step forward for the community, as it allows some businesses to resume operations.
At Rusty Rooster Recycling, the owners described the reopening as a “restart.” Thomas Brooks, one of the business owners, shared his feelings about the situation. “A lot of times you go into a job every day and you can kind of take it for granted. But I don't think that's something anybody around here is going to be doing. I think everybody's going to be happy to have a job to go to as well, just to have a purpose again.”
Although their business was not directly affected by the crash, the restricted access significantly limited their ability to operate. Brooks explained, “Without customers, there is no business.” He noted that the first day of reopening was a bit slow, but regulars like Trenton Cockerell were among the first to return.
Cockerell, a loyal customer, emphasized the importance of the reopening. “It means production. It means cash flow. It means that people can provide for their families. We can continue to do what we love doing, which is work.” He added that the past few weeks had been challenging. “We haven't had as much money. We've been, you know, a little... It's been a little skirmish. It's been different. Not being able to do what we regularly do on, like, a routine basis.”
As the cleanup from the UPS plane crash continues in phases, businesses in the area are starting to regain a sense of normalcy. Brooks expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return. “We've been down a while. So we're just kind of easing back into it. But we're grateful regardless to be back.”
A phased plan for the rest of the businesses is in place, although there is no exact timeline for the total reopening. Local business owners are taking each day as it comes, focusing on rebuilding and maintaining their operations.
The gradual return of activity on Grade Lane reflects the resilience of the community. While challenges remain, the efforts of workers and business owners alike are helping to restore a sense of stability to the area.
For those interested in following the latest updates, there are ongoing reports and stories highlighting the progress being made. As more businesses open and the community continues to heal, the focus remains on rebuilding and supporting one another during this difficult time.
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