Last week Governor Wes Moore signed the PORT Act into law, creating programs to assist businesses and workers in economic recovery following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. 

Details about these programs, including dates and eligibility, are now available. See information on programs below:

Port of Baltimore Emergency Business Assistance Program
This program provides grants of up to $100,000 to eligible businesses that have had operations impacted or shipments disrupted at the Port of Baltimore. To be eligible, businesses must demonstrate economic and financial injury through a reduction in revenue and activity and/or increased costs to business operations.
Applications Open on April 22. See Program Criteria

Neighborhood BusinessWorks Loans and Grants
Loan and grants are available to businesses impacted by a loss of revenue or increased costs. The Small Business Grants Program will offer grants up to $50,000 to small/main street level businesses within a five mile radius of the Key Bridge and the Business Loan Program will offer loans up to $500,000 to businesses impacted by the Key Bridge collapse or reduction in Port activity statewide. Applications Open on April 22. See Program Criteria

Port of Baltimore Worker Retention Program
Entities eligible for up to $200,000 in grant funding include businesses that employ up to 500 workers, unions, trade associations, and organizations that have seen operations hindered by or completely halted due to the Port slowdown. Up to $7,500 can be spent per worker on wages or other support. Applications Open Now. See Details and Apply

For more resources, visit maryland.gov/bridge.