Encanto

Encanto auto body shop, other small businesses recovering after storm

Woodman Auto Body has more $100,000 of damage and lost productivity, according to a manager

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Woodman Auto Body in the Encanto neighborhood ended up being in the middle of the historic flooding that hit San Diego on Jan. 22.

โ€œWe noticed it was raining, nothing abnormal. Then, when we heard the speed of the water, we were like, 'Damn, we are having a good rain,'โ€ manager Zaida Sanchez said.

Moments later, the situation changed.

โ€œWe saw trash cans coming down, trees, and it was shocking when I saw the black fencing that protects the channel, it was just turned out and cars were just bumping,โ€ Sanchez said.

Sanchez said Woodman Auto Body has more $100,000 of damage and lost productivity.

โ€œWe have to find a way to get back on our feet and start working again and producing,โ€ Sanchez said.

Emergency grant funds for storm-impacted small businesses

The city of San Diego announced on Friday that the city will provide emergency grants of up to $5,000 for storm-impacted small businesses and nonprofits.

The current budget for the program is $370,000 through the cityโ€™s Small Business Enhancement Program. Only businesses with fewer than 12 employees are eligible for the grant, according to the cityโ€™s news release.

The application period will open in February.

The storm's devastation has brought some communities and small businesses to their knees. Including a local floral shop in Grantville that had so much wiped out by the storm just before Valentines Day. NBC 7's Jackie Crea reports.
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