WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the addition of five neighboring counties in Virginia to the Maryland disaster declaration for the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, enabling more Virginia businesses to be eligible to apply for SBA’s low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
The declaration covers the entire state of Maryland and contiguous counties, including the District of Columbia; Kent, New Castle, and Sussex in Delaware; Adams, Bedford, Chester, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Lancaster, Somerset, and York in Pennsylvania; Accomack, Independent City of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, King George, Loudoun, Northumberland, Prince William, Stafford, and Westmoreland in Virginia; and Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan, and Preston in West Virginia.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to help overcome any temporary loss of revenue stemming from the bridge collapse. 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.
Customer Service Representatives at SBA’s Business Recovery Centers will assist business owners in completing their disaster loan applications, accept documents, and provide status on loan applications. The Centers will operate as indicated below until further notice.
Business Recovery Center (BRC)
Anne Arundel County
Glen Burnie Library
Anne Arundel County Public Library
1010 Eastway
Glen Burnie, MD 21060
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, 10a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
Business Recovery Center (BRC)
Baltimore County
American Job Center
7930 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed: Saturday & Sunday
Business Recovery Center (BRC)
Baltimore County
CareFirst Engagement Center
1501 South Clinton Street
Baltimore City, MD 21224
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
Eligibility is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years and are restricted to small businesses without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.
Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The filing deadline to return economic injury applications is Dec. 30, 2024.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.