Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce to launch campaign for Jackson restaurant owners affected by gas repair

JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI) – Local restaurant owners of Jackson say a gas line repair is forcing them to close their doors. 

Brian Gerau, is the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce CEO. He shares the Chamber plans to start a campaign as soon as they can to help support local restaurants affected, as many have lost revenue, and face payroll obstacles. The impacts of being unable to open could hit local store owners hard. 

Liberty Utility crews say the gas repairs are necessary, after debris hit a gas line during area flooding, and according to the most recent update from the utility company they estimate the repairs to take another week.  

 “So, one of the things that we’re going to do here at the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce is we’re going to start a restaurant campaign. Kind of a shop local, but for our restaurants” says Gerau.

Gerau says residents should expect some overcrowding, at restaurants that are able to open and encourages community effort and support to the restaurants forced to close once they can open.  

The Cape Girardeau Public Health Center has shared they are actively working with restaurants and lodging facilities, and plan to work with establishments on temporary outdoor cooking, food trucks, and other alternatives.

“Try to be patient” says Gerau. “I know everybody’s doing everything they possibly can to get us back to 100%. We’re working hard. I know utility companies working hard. So, our elected officials are trying to get this all going. So just be patient and just know everybody’s working as hard as they can.”