HAGERSTOWN, MD (June 18, 2024) The Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development is pleased to inform you that Governor Wes Moore has announced the scheduled conclusion of worker and business relief programs associated with the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Please read below and remember, reach out to Linda Spence, Business Specialist for the Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development at LSpence@WashCo-MD.net or by phone at 240-313-2286 if you have additional questions.

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ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 14, 2024) — Governor Wes Moore today announced the sunset dates of worker and business relief programs affiliated with the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Since their inception in April, the programs have delivered $37.4 million in assistance—including $6.4 million to support minority or women-owned businesses—and $22 million to support businesses located in the Baltimore metropolitan region. 

"One of my four key directives after the Key Bridge collapsed was to take care of everyone affected by this crisis, from our workers to our businesses. By moving in partnership, we met that directive head-on," said Gov. Moore. "Thanks to the collaboration of bipartisan lawmakers and leaders across state government, we stood up financial relief programs at incredible speed, avoiding mass layoffs and deep financial pain for countless workers and businesses. Our call was simple: Mission First – People Always. Together, Maryland answered that call."

Within two weeks of the PORT Act being signed into law—and within one month of the Key Bridge collapse on March 26—the Moore-Miller Administration established five temporary economic and financial relief programs to support impacted Maryland workers and businesses. The programs provided $16.7 million in direct financial assistance to more than 2,800 impacted workers, disbursed $5 million in regular unemployment insurance benefits to more than 1,100 workers, and protected more than 3,000 jobs from layoffs.

The following temporary financial and economic relief programs will sunset on June 28:

• Maryland Department of Labor Worker Support Program
• Maryland Department of Commerce Business Assistance Program 
• Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Business Grant Program

The Department of Housing and Community Development Business Loan Program, which provides loans to businesses impacted by the Key Bridge collapse, will end on August 15. The Worker Retention Program, administered by the Maryland Department of Labor, closed on May 17. 

For more information on how to apply for programs before they sunset, visit:

• The Maryland Department of Labor Resources for Workers and Businesses Impacted by the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse
• The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Key Bridge Collapse Business Support
• The Maryland Department of Commerce Port of Baltimore Emergency Assistance Program

Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development has shared resources for businesses affected by the Key Bridge collapse:

1) The Maryland Emergency Management Agency runs the Private Sector Integration Program (PSIP).  Its mission is "incorporating the private sector into the emergency management framework to provide a voice to the business community during emergencies and increase information sharing between the private and public sectors."  Businesses can sign up to participate in PSIP here:  https://mdem.maryland.gov/Pages/psip.aspx.

2) The Maryland Transportation Authority has set up a page on its website with

information about the transportation complications and detours suggested to

mitigate delays.  This website can be found here:  https://mdta.maryland.gov/keybridgenews.

3) The Maryland Department of Labor has created an unemployment insurance hotline for workers affected by the Key Bridge collapse.  Impacted workers can call 667-930-5989 from 8:00am to 5:00pm, EST, Monday-Friday,

or file online in BEACON at: beacon.labor.maryland.gov/beacon/claimant-page.html.  

4) The U.S. Small Business Administration aids Mid-Atlantic small businesses affected by the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.  Businesses may apply for low-interest, long-term Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the U.S. Small Business Administration at: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/economic-injury-disaster-loans.  Or use the general SBA Portal at lending.sba.gov. 

5) For the most up-to-date information on the Francis Scott Key Bridge response and resources, visit keybridgeresponse2024.com.  

6) The Maryland Chamber of Commerce has started “Building Bridges to Recovery” where they will share the most up-to-date information for business resources: https://www.mdchamber.org/business-resources-hub/. 

For more information on available resources and assistance for businesses affected by the bridge collapse, or to submit your company’s information, please contact Linda Spence, Business Specialist for the Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development by email at LSpence@WashCo-MD.net. We are committed to supporting our business community as we work together to recover and rebuild! 

GOVERNOR MOORE LAUNCHES CENTRAL

FRANCIS SCOTT KET BRIDGE COLLAPSE RESPONSE WEBSITE

Since the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024, organizations across the state have developed various websites, resources, information portals, etc. to assist those impacted by the bridge incident. The Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development is pleased to announce that Governor Wes Moore launched a central hub for all Marylanders seeking federal, state, and local resources and programs related to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This comprehensive website includes information on relief programs for impacted workers and businesses, major traffic updates for commuters, and guidance on accessing in-person resources available through Maryland Business Recovery Centers. 

From Governor Moore’s Press Release (April 11, 2024) - “My administration wants to make it as simple as possible for Marylanders to navigate the resources available to them to mitigate impacts of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” said Governor Moore. “During the time of unimaginable tragedy, we have also seen our community rally around one another and lift each other up. I am committed to making sure those who are impacted know how to get the supports they need while we reopen the channel and get the Port fully operational.” 

“Furthermore, the website provides Marylanders with updates based on my four directives for recovery, which include, giving closure to the victim’s families, clearing the channel and open vessel traffic to the Port of Baltimore, taking care of all those affected by the crisis, and rebuilding the Key Bridge. Additional resources on the website include direct links to information on the salvage and response operations from the Unified Command, up-to-date traffic and road closure alerts from the Maryland Department of Transportation, and Maryland’s official 511 Traveler Information Service.” 

“The website will be updated regularly as additional programs become available through federal, state, and local resources. To view the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse Website, visit https://response.maryland.gov/bridge.” 

For more information, please reach out to Brittany Marshall of the Governor’s Office, at: Brittany.Marshall2@Maryland.gov. You may also contact Linda Spence, Business Specialist for the Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development at LSpence@Washco-MD.net.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development rolled out the $5M Neighborhood Business Works Small Business Grant Program, providing grants of up to $50,000, along with a $10M no-interest loan program offering loans of up to $500,000.  Eligibility details and program information are accessible on the department’s website, with applications processed on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The Maryland Department of Labor previously initiated applications for its $12.5M Port of Baltimore Worker Retention Program, providing grants to affected businesses at risk of employee layoffs, and its $15M Port of Baltimore Worker Supporter Program, offering temporary financial aid to port workers who do not qualify for unemployment insurance benefits. 

For more information on eligibility and to apply for the Neighborhood Business Works Grant or loan programs, visit dhcd.maryland.gov/KeyBridgeResources. 

For details on eligibility and application for the Port of Baltimore Emergency Business Assistance Program, visit https://commerce.maryland.gov/fund/port-of-baltimore-emergency-business-assistance-program. 

For a comprehensive overview of all Port Act temporary relief programs and resources, please visit the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse Response Website.

SBA Business Recovery Centers Closing