EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - Senator J.D. Vance is calling for a Paycheck Protection Program-style program to ease the burden on residents of East Palestine.

Vance said in a recent Washington Post op-ed that residents must now rebuild an already stressed local economy.

PPP was a pandemic-era program where businesses were given grants and loans to stay afloat amid government shutdowns.

Senator Vance is scheduled to appear on 21 News at 5 this week to talk about his continued efforts to help East Palestine and how a PPP program could help.