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 [email protected] 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
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