We’ve heard the BP representatives met with Pensacola Beach owners today. They are proposing to pay owners whatever they are down in income from last year. For example, a shop had sales of $70,000 in May 2009 and only $60,000 in May 2010 – BP will cut the shop owner a check for $10,000. Some owners aren’t happy with the offer because their sales were already trending above the 2009 figures; many have made improvements in their operations and expected the increased sales to pay for the capital investment. Also there are new businesses with no 2009 history.
BP reps said that they were trying to get money into the hands of the business owners and keep them afloat for the summer. Accepting the checks will not preclude further claims later.