Money available for workers and businesses affected by Baltimore bridge collapse – news

Financial assistance is now available to support Baltimore workers and businesses hit hard by the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

One initiative, the Port of Baltimore Employee Assistance Program, offers temporary money assistance to eligible workers who lost income and work hours in last month’s fatal bridge collapse. The $15 million program was recently signed into law by Maryland Governor Wes Moore.

In late March, $60 million was approved for Maryland By U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Relief Fund to assist cover the initial costs of the large reconstruction project.

To qualify for the Employee Assistance Program, you will need to have worked on the Port of Baltimore no less than 25 times or earned no less than $5,000 in port work between January 1, 2024 and March 26, 2024. Port utility employees, independent contractors, are eligible There are also self-employed people working in port terminals.

“This new program will provide $430 in weekly assistance to port workers who lost wages and hours due to the Key Bridge collapse” – Moore he said. “Our mission is to help as many people as possible during this difficult time.” To go Here apply and get more details.

Additionally, the Port of Baltimore’s $12.5 million Employee Retention Program goals to assist affected businesses prevent layoffs and retain workers until the port fully reopens. The premiere is scheduled for April 22, 2024.

Businesses in search of assistance through the retention program are eligible for grants of as much as $200,000. These may include firms with as much as 500 employees, trade unions, industry associations and organizations whose projects have been delayed or suspended because of the port slowdown. To secure financing, firms “must make every effort to avoid layoffs” and meet other criteria. (For more information on methods to apply, click here Here.)

“We must do everything we can to support the 8,000 port workers whose jobs were directly affected by the Key Bridge collapse, as well as the thousands of others who have been impacted by this crisis,” Moore said.

He added: “Working in partnership with the Maryland General Assembly, the federal government and our local government partners, we are reaching out to workers and businesses in need of help. Together, we will continue to ensure that no one is left behind in the response to the bridge collapse.”

Companies can profit from more assist in the shape of grants and loans. For example, grants of as much as $100,000 can be provided to impacted businesses through the Port of Baltimore’s Emergency Business Assistance Program. Those interested can apply now until May 6, 2024, Here.

More details about bridge collapse support and resources might be found here side.