CareFirst Engagement Center Designated as Second Business Recovery Center for Key Bridge Collapse Relief Efforts
Baltimore – On April 1, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), one of the largest not-for-profit healthcare organizations in the nation, opened space in its Baltimore headquarters office to assist the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) efforts to help businesses affected by the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
The opening of the CareFirst Engagement Center in Baltimore (1501 South Clinton Street) comes days after Maryland Governor Wes Moore requested a disaster declaration from the SBA to allow small businesses to apply for federal loans to help make payroll and cover other bills resulting from the closure of Baltimore’s port due to the collapse of the Key Bridge.
Representatives from the SBA will be onsite at the Canton location Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to process federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans, allowing qualified small businesses the ability to apply for up to $2 million in federal aid to cover temporary loss of revenue stemming from the bridge collapse.
“While the period of recovery and rebuilding will undoubtedly be long and difficult, members of our community are resilient and have rallied to support one another,” Brian D. Pieninck, President and CEO of CareFirst, said. “When Governor Moore’s and Mayor Scott’s offices put out a call for local businesses near the Port to step forward and assist in relief efforts, we didn’t hesitate.”
In response to the Governor’s official request, Isabel Casillas Guzman, Administrator of the SBA, announced on March 31 that Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) would be available to assist Mid-Atlantic small businesses severely affected by this tragedy. These loans provide the necessary resources to help overcome the economic challenges posed by the disaster.
Understanding the urgency of the situation, Governor Moore and Mayor Scott appealed to local businesses and institutions to offer accessible, no-cost office space to facilitate SBA employees in efficiently processing the anticipated high volume of loan applications.
In an April 1 press release from the SBA, Francisco Sanchez Jr., Associate Administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, said: “Our Business Recovery Centers are one of the most powerful resources at SBA’s disposal to support business owners in the midst of a disaster. Business owners can meet in-person with our specialists to apply for SBA disaster loans and get information on the full breadth of our programs designed to help them navigate their recovery.”
Representatives at the Business Recovery Centers will assist business owners in completing applications, accept documents for existing applications and provide status on applications. Applicants can determine eligibility and apply online at sba.gov/disaster or visit the Center for assistance. The filing deadline is Dec. 30, 2024.
Additional state agencies onsite include the Maryland Department of Labor offering UI information sharing, reemployment services, connections to local American Job Centers, the Maryland Insurance Administration providing guidance on business interruption insurance claims and business/commercial insurance, and representatives of Baltimore City’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and Employment Services and Anne Arundel County’s Office of Emergency Management, Workforce Development and Economic Development.
About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
In its 86th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit healthcare company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.5 million individuals and employers in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2022, CareFirst invested $24.1 million to improve overall health, and increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of healthcare throughout its market areas. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit www.carefirst.com.