Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced Friday the launch of a program to help Port of Baltimore businesses retain employees after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
The $12.5 million program is aimed at preventing layoffs while recovery efforts continue. The program was created by executive order and authorized by the emergency bill signed by the governor on Tuesday.
“To support the 8,000 longshoremen whose jobs were directly affected by the collapse of the Key Bridge, and the thousands more affected by this crisis,” Democrat Moore said in a news release. We have to do our best.” release.
The program is administered by the state Department of Labor.
“Worker Retention Programs will keep port operations open and allow workers to earn an income and support their families while the Army Corps and others work to reopen shipping lanes,” Maryland Secretary of Labor Portia Wu said in a statement. We can do that.”
Under the program, organizations eligible for grants of up to $200,000 include businesses with up to 500 employees, labor unions, trade associations, and businesses whose operations have been disrupted or completely stopped due to port disruptions. Includes organizations that have
Up to $7,500 per worker can be spent on wages and other support.
Companies receiving funding under this program must demonstrate maximum effort to avoid layoffs and maintain the working hours, wages, and benefits that were in place prior to the reduction in port operations.
Allowable expenses include support services for workers, such as child care and transportation assistance, and payroll payments as part of participation in a work-sharing unemployment insurance program.
The governor's office said other relief programs authorized by the bill signed this week will begin April 22.
One of them will provide grants of up to $100,000 to eligible businesses whose operations at ports have been affected or shipments have been disrupted. To qualify, companies must demonstrate economic and financial harm due to a decrease in business revenue and activity or an increase in the cost of operating the business.
Department of Commerce: Port of Baltimore Emergency Business Assistance Program begins accepting applications.
Another program will provide a total of $15 million in loans and grants to businesses affected by decreased revenue or increased costs under the Neighborhood Business Works Program, administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. I plan to.
The Small Business Grant Program will provide $5 million to provide grants of up to $50,000 to small businesses within a five-mile radius of Key Bridge, and the Business Loan Program will provide grants of up to $50,000 to businesses affected by Key Bridge. $10 million to provide financing of up to $500,000. Collapsed bridges and reduced port activity across the state.
The container ship Dali was en route from Baltimore to Sri Lanka with cargo last month when it collided with one of the bridge supports, causing the bridge to collapse into the Patapsco River. Six road construction workers were killed.
