Governor announces new support program for struggling local business owners and port workers

BALTIMORE — The aftermath of the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore has left many small business owners struggling to stay afloat. Leaders from the Small Business Association visited the city to discuss federal resources available to help impacted businesses, but not all have been able to access the assistance they need.

Frederick Mensah, owner of Cilla Transportation, a trucking company that picks up containers from the Port of Baltimore, shared his concerns about the lack of work since the bridge collapse. “I haven’t made a check since the bridge came down,” Mensah said. He, along with other independent truck drivers, have been unable to qualify for unemployment and other government assistance.

Governor Wes Moore declared a disaster, allowing small business owners to apply for federal disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Deputy Administrator Dilawar Syed stated that $3.4 million in loans have been approved, with more to come in the following weeks.

However, some business owners like Mensah are hesitant about taking on loans with interest. “We need a lot of grants to help us get through this,” Mensah expressed. Frustration grows as other port workers have more support options compared to independent truckers.

Support for “solopreneurs” like Mensah is becoming available through the Department of Labor, with the Department of Commerce set to offer grants up to $100K for impacted businesses next week. The road to recovery for small businesses in Baltimore is still uncertain, but efforts are being made to provide the necessary assistance during this challenging time.