LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- More than a week after a deadly UPS plane crash shook neighborhoods near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, federal and local officials have opened a new resource center to help struggling businesses recover.
The Community Resource Center is located inside the Airport Office Park and is designed to give owners privacy while offering one-on-one help navigating the aftermath of the crash. Mayor Craig Greenberg said the goal is to meet people where they are and connect them with immediate support.
“We’ve already had a lot of folks come through the community resource center that are seeking help of all kinds,” Greenberg said. “Everyone who’s been impacted by this tragic crash is impacted in different ways.”
Among the hardest hit is Quantum Ink, owned by Adam Bland, whose business sits near the crash zone.
“We had employees on site when the crash happened,” Bland said. “Luckily, all my people made it out.”
Quantum Ink supplies major brands including Johnson & Johnson, Tootsie Roll, American Greetings and Coca-Cola. The crash temporarily shut down operations, stopping the shipment of 50,000 pounds of water-based printing ink each day.
“It essentially shut us down,” Bland said. “We got behind real quick.”
Access to his building has been limited, and Bland said he’s only been allowed inside three times to retrieve small items such as documents, cash and vehicles. A nearby building the company recently purchased still hasn’t been evaluated because of its proximity to the crash site.
Since the shutdown, Bland and his team have scrambled to keep their business afloat.
“It’s been reaction mode,” he said. “We’ve had to pull a lot of favor cards to make our income elsewhere.”
Bland said vendors have been working overtime to help them, and the company has already spent at least $300,000 expediting shipments. A contractor hired for more than $1 million in renovation work has also been sidelined.
“There’s a little bit of risk when you talk about putting your personal credentials on the line as a guarantor in a situation where your business might not have an option if it can’t function,” Bland said.
Even so, he said his team remains committed.
“If we’re going to make it through this, at the end of the day, we’re paying our employees now,” Bland said. “Through hard work and extra time, we’ve been able to compensate for lack of access to our building. How sustainable that is is questionable.”
90 businesses impacted
Louisville Metro Emergency Services said about 90 businesses have been affected in some way — from power outages to restricted building access.
“Every business owner has been given the opportunity several times to come in with escorted privileges,” said Jody Meiman with Emergency Management. “It’s been a fairly busy center.”
Weather challenges have slowed some of the recovery work, but officials said efforts continue daily to restore access and assess damage.
Federal assistance now available
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is staffing the resource center with loan specialists, business consultants and recovery teams. Officials said low-interest, long-term federal loans are available not only to businesses directly impacted by the crash but also to those beginning to feel the secondary economic effects.
“The SBA provides federal funding in the form of low-interest, long-term loans that provide working capital to sustain businesses during this crucial time,” said Donika Farnham with SBA Disaster Assistance. “We urge you to come into this center. We have staff on the ground who will walk you through the process one-on-one.”
The SBA can provide loans of up to $2 million for businesses and nonprofits facing property damage, economic losses or other disruptions related to the crash.
Applications for assistance have been extended through Aug. 17, 2026, and staff say timelines vary based on each business’s situation.
“It may take time to realize whether eligibility exists,” Farnham said. “Come in and allow us to see if we can help.”
The center is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“Thank God no one died”
While Bland says the financial future of his company remains uncertain, he is still grateful for what matters most.
“Thank God no one suffered a major injury or perished,” he said. “My thoughts and prayers go out to anyone who did.”
Officials say the Community Resource Center will remain open as long as it’s needed.
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
