The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) opened Business Recovery Centers (BRC) in the Baltimore area Monday in response to the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge last week.
A cargo ship, Dali, lost power after leaving the Port of Baltimore as it neared the bridge, causing it to crash into a support column of the bridge. The bridge collapsed immediately after the crash, causing eight men who were part of a construction crew to fall into the Patapsco River, killing all but two of them.
The BRCs will assist business owners in completing disaster loan applications, accept documents for existing applications, and provide status updates on loan applications. They’ll operate in the following locations during the following days and hours:
BALTIMORE CITY – Opening: Monday, April 1 at 1:00 p.m.
CareFirst Engagement Center
1501 S Clinton St, Ste #100
Baltimore, MD 21224
Daily Hours:
Monday- Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Employment Development will be on site to provide additional support and connect businesses to additional resources.
Note: Baltimore City is working in conjunction with Anne Arundel County for this location to service businesses in both jurisdictions.
BALTIMORE COUNTY – Opening: Monday, April 1 at 1:00 p.m.
Dundalk Renaissance Center
11 Center Place
Dundalk, MD 21222
Daily Hours:
Monday- Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce representatives will be available onsite at the Dundalk location to provide additional support and connect businesses with resources.
On Saturday, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced that the SBA has made Maryland businesses impacted by the Key Bridge collapse on March 26 eligible for low-interest, long-term Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help overcome the loss of revenue that has and will continue to result from the bridge’s collapse. Those eligible for EIDLs include small businesses, small agriculture cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses, and private nonprofit organizations.
These loans can cover normal operating expenses, like fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that cannot be paid because of the stoppage of port traffic due to the cleanup and bridge collapse. Eligibility is based on the financial impact of the disaster only.
The filing deadline for applications is Dec. 30, 2024.
“Baltimore’s road to recovery from this unthinkable tragedy will be long, but we will get through it together,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott in a statement. “We are mobilizing every resource and agency available to help deal with the fallout of the Key Bridge collapse and will continue to do so until the entire Baltimore region overcomes the impacts. We remain deeply grateful for the partnership of President Biden and his Administration, Governor Moore and his Administration, our partners in Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County, and everyone who has shown their support or provided additional resources.”
“Baltimore County stands ready and we continue our work with federal, state and other local partners to support all those impacted by the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski in a statement. “Together, we are now providing access to the resources our local, small businesses impacted by the economic disruption of this disaster need. We continue to thank the Biden-Harris Administration, the Moore-Miller Administration, and all our partners for their tireless efforts to ensure our neighbors have the support they need so that we can weather this crisis together.
Information about disaster assistance is available by clicking this link.
Applicants can reach SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Please be prepared to provide insurance policy and related information.
