BALTIMORE, MD—Community College of Baltimore County has received a $95,000 grant from the PNC Foundation to support an initiative aimed at bolstering small businesses in Dundalk and neighboring communities significantly impacted by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier this year. The initiative, titled “Building Bridges to Recovery: Strengthening Dundalk’s Business Community,” will offer education, resources, and coaching to help struggling businesses navigate the challenges posed by the bridge’s collapse.

The closure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has had a severe impact on local businesses, particularly those reliant on the bridge’s regular traffic. Many businesses have experienced significant revenue losses, increased operating costs, and have even resorted to staff layoffs.

“Even as we remember the six workers who lost their lives in the collapse of the Key Bridge and keep their families in our thoughts, we recognize the significant impact this tragedy has had on local small businesses and the livelihoods of those they employ,” said Laura Gamble, PNC regional president for Greater Maryland. “The Port of Baltimore was shut down, and this was felt by businesses on both sides of the bridge, particularly small businesses. This grant will support key initiatives to help them, including helping with marketing and driving traffic to their business corridors.”

Through the “Building Bridges to Recovery” initiative, CCBC will offer an eight-week cohort-based program to eligible business owners. This program will provide one-on-one business coaching, staffing support, networking opportunities, and access to resources designed to aid in establishing and implementing growth plans. Additionally, workshops covering areas like strategic planning, funding options, sales and marketing, business planning, and finance will be held.

To maximize outreach and impact, CCBC will collaborate with organizations such as the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Corporation. The initial goal of the initiative is to assist 50 participants.

CCBC president Sandra Kurtinitis expressed, “The Key Bridge collapse has devastated local businesses, particularly in Dundalk.” “This incident severely disrupted vital transportation arteries, threatened the economic well-being of our region, and will continue to do so for many years.”

In addition to supporting existing businesses, the initiative will also provide career development support to business owners and their staff who have lost their jobs due to the bridge closure. CCBC’s business navigators will help individuals explore course offerings, identify new career paths, and connect them with relevant resources. CCBC offers an extensive range of degree, certificate, and workforce certification programs that prepare students for careers in business, education, health care, IT, cybersecurity, construction, transportation, and more.

For business owners interested in learning more about the “Building Bridges to Recovery: Strengthening Dundalk’s Business Community” initiative, contact Moire Riley at [email protected].

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo: An aerial image of the Unified Command response operations in Baltimore, Maryland on April 22, 2024. The Key Bridge Response Unified Command priorities are ensuring the safety of the public and first responders, accountability of missing persons, safely restoring transportation infrastructure and commerce, protecting the environment, and supporting the investigation. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Alejandro Rivera)