HAGERSTOWN, MD (April 5, 2024) – The Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development understands the significant challenges the recent collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge may have imposed on businesses in our community. To better understand, coordinate, and tailor support and resources, DBED requests your input regarding the impact this event has had on your operations.

Businesses can submit their name, contact information, details of any disruption, damages, or losses your business is experiencing as a result of the bridge collapse, or if there are specific resources or assistance required, to: Linda Spence, Business Specialist for the Department of Business and Economic Development at [email protected].

At this time, we would like to take this opportunity to share additional resources that have become available:

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.  Presently, PSIP holds daily briefings on the Bridge and Port situation. We encourage you or a representative of your company to register for this daily conference call as it will be the primary information source.

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 [email protected]. We are committed to supporting our business community as we work together to recover and rebuild!

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