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## Financial Assistance for Businesses Impacted by Key Bridge Collapse

Five hundred businesses have applied for financial assistance stemming from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge last week, the administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration announced Thursday. The SBA has deemed mid-Atlantic businesses impacted by the bridge collapse eligible for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to help overcome temporary loss of revenue from the collapse and Port of Baltimore’s closure to most maritime traffic. Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses, and private nonprofit organizations are all eligible to apply for loans that may be used to pay normal operating expenses.

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The SBA began operating Business Recovery Centers in Baltimore and Dundalk on Monday to assist business owners in completing disaster loan applications, with a new and expanded center opening at the Community College of Baltimore County in Dundalk on Friday. Isabel Casillas Guzman, administrator for the SBA, said a full range of businesses are applying for loans, from sole proprietors to small employee firms. “We’re working with businesses to understand what their impact is on revenues and expenses,” Guzman said, noting businesses who have applied for loans will start to see disbursements within about two weeks. “We’re seeing heavy demand from those industries that relied on the port.”

### The Impact on Businesses and Economic Recovery
Businesses involved in transportation and supply chain logistics will likely suffer most in the short term, Guzman said, but the long-term ripple effects will be widespread. Senator Ben Cardin emphasized the importance of supporting small, independent workers to ensure they can remain in business. According to the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the Port of Baltimore generated more than 15,000 direct jobs, with nearly 140,000 additional jobs affected to some extent by the port’s activities. The economic impact of the bridge’s collapse on Baltimore and the state of Maryland has been described as “incomprehensible.”

### Support and Relief Efforts
John Olszewski, Baltimore County executive, praised the coordination between local, state, and federal partners so far, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to supporting affected individuals and businesses. Maryland lawmakers have proposed legislation to provide temporary relief for Port of Baltimore workers, with plans to pass the bill before the end of the session. U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume expressed optimism for bipartisan efforts to address the crisis when congress reconvenes on Tuesday.

The filing deadline for EIDL applications is Dec. 30, and businesses impacted by the Key Bridge collapse are encouraged to apply for financial assistance. The incident, which occurred on March 26, resulted in tragic consequences, including the loss of lives and ongoing challenges for the crew members of the cargo ship Dali. The recovery and rebuilding process will require ongoing support and collaboration from all levels of government and the community.

*The Associated Press contributed to this story.*

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