PITTSBURGH – Gov. Tom Wolf announced on Saturday that home and business owners only in the eastern parts of the state damaged by riots in part in response to George Floyd’s death could apply for low loans disaster interest rate. There is no mention of Pittsburgh or Allegheny County, where dozens of businesses and stores were destroyed and looted as a peaceful protest turned violent on May 30.

In a press release from Governor Wolf’s office, the program applies to affected homeowners, tenants and businesses in the city of Philadelphia as well as Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery counties. Up to $ 200,000 is available for homeowners to repair or replace damaged property. Up to $ 40,000 is available to repair or replace personal property, such as cars. Businesses and nonprofits are eligible for up to $ 2 million to repair buildings, replace inventory, and purchase new equipment.

In Pittsburgh, thousands of people gathered on May 30 for a peaceful protest and march through the city’s neighborhoods. After several hours, the crowd turned violent, attacking mounted police and torching police vehicles near PPG Paints Arena. Several journalists covering the event on the ground were assaulted. Riots broke out across the city center as people began to smash storefronts and loot businesses. The city was put under curfew and all roads and bridges leading to the city center were closed overnight as police struggled to regain control.

>>> RELATED: 60 businesses report damage in city center following Saturday riots

Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said the next day that 60 businesses and properties were damaged, including hotels, restaurants and small businesses. 44 people were arrested in connection with the damage.

It is not clear whether Governor Wolf will expand the program to western parts of Pennsylvania. He signed a disaster declaration on May 30 that allocated $ 2 million in unused funds to help with expenses following the protests. However, this did not allow the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner to activate more units and officers if they were needed to quell any violence.

Violence also erupted in Harrisburg over the weekend. There was also no mention of this area being eligible for assistance in the press release.

Cox Media Group