BALTIMORE, MD—On Monday, the U.S. Small Business Administration will begin to operate Business Recovery Centers to assist business owners in completing disaster loan applications, accept documents for existing applications, and provide status updates on loan applications in response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

These Centers will operate as indicated below until further notice.

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 to provide additional support and connect businesses with resources.

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.

The opening of these centers follows the March 30 announcement from Governor Wes Moore that the SBA has made Maryland businesses impacted by last week’s collapse of the Key Bridge eligible for low-interest, long-term Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) from the SBA to help overcome temporary loss of revenue stemming from the bridge collapse.

Small businesses impacted by the Key Bridge collapse can apply for a disaster loan of up to $2 million to help overcome any revenue loss.

Eligibility applies to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses, and private nonprofit organizations. These loans may be used to pay normal operating expenses such as fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disruption. Eligibility is based on the financial impact of the disaster only. The filing deadline for applications is December 30, 2024.
To learn more, visit https://lending.sba.gov.

More information about disaster assistance information is available at https://www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected].

“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. “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.”

“Baltimore’s road to recovery from this unthinkable tragedy will be long, but we will get through it together,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “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.”

Photo: U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kimberly Reaves