Garden Grove residents look to GKN Aerospace for financial compensation after the plant threatened to explode last month
Almost a month after a Garden Grove aerospace plant tank threatened to explode, Orange County residents are still demanding financial compensation to cover evacuation costs.
The incident led to over 50,000 residents being urged to evacuate for a week before officials declared it safe for homeowners to return.
The company, GKN Aerospace, announced a $3 million donation to the nonprofit organization Orange County United Way to support the relief. Funds for $500 per household were available upon application on a first-come, first-served basis, but applications closed quickly, leaving residents no longer able to seek assistance.
“Due to the volume of applications received, and funding available, we are no longer accepting new applications,” United Way said in a statement on Jun. 12. “Our focus is on reviewing the applications already received, confirming eligibility, and collecting required documentation.”
GKN Aerospace Senior Vice President Steve Carlin spoke to the Garden Grove City Council about the incident last week.
When asked about reimbursement for those financially impacted for emergency hotels, gas, meals and lost income, Carlin said GKN is still investigating the situation. Carlin refused to give a timeline for any potential reimbursements.
“Those couple of days I had to drive all the way to Riverside for my mom, I had to come all the way down to Santa Ana for work,” Rafael Cruz Delgado, a Stanton resident, said in an interview with NBC4. “I already pay enough for gas. Gas prices are crazy right now and just to have that happen and to get this little amount of money that I don’t even know if I’m promised.”
Congressman Derek Tran, who represents the Garden Grove community, spoke with GKN Aerospace leaders to reiterate the company’s need to take accountability. He said in a statement that despite the fund being a necessary acknowledgement, it was insufficient for the community.
Scroll to continue reading
“Every family and small business that was displaced or shut down during this crisis deserves full compensation. I expressed that this is non-negotiable,” Tran wrote.
Tran expressed his intent to advance legislation to assure the community will be notified if another emergency were to occur.
Comments are closed.