BALTIMORE — Small Business Association leaders traveled to Baltimore to discuss federal resources available to businesses affected by the Key Bridge collapse. However, not all business owners receive the support they need.
One local business owner in Canton shared his concerns as he has been unable to do business since the Key Bridge collapse and was unable to qualify for certain government aid to assist affected businesses.
“We haven’t inspected the bridge since it fell,” said Frederick Mensah, owner of Shira Transportation.
Cilla Transportation is a trucking company that picks up containers from the Port of Baltimore. He says he hasn’t had any work since the Key Bridge collapsed more than three weeks ago.
“We need help and I hope they look at the situation because no one expected this to happen and we all have to pay the bills. Because we have it,” Mensah said.
By “we,” Frederick is talking about fellow truck drivers, independent contractors who were unable to qualify for unemployment or other government assistance.
In the wake of the bridge collapse, Gov. Wes Moore issued a disaster declaration and allowed small business owners to apply for federal disaster loans.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest loans to affected nonprofits and small businesses.
The SBA deputy administrator said $3.4 million worth of loans have been approved so far.
“We’re going to build on this,” said Dilawar Saeed of the American Small Business Association. “This number is likely to increase further in the coming weeks and days.”
But some people, like Frederick, are hesitant to take out loans.
“It’s not just a loan. When you get a loan, it comes with interest and all that,” Mensah said. “If the bridge hadn’t collapsed, we would just be working and paying our bills. We need a lot of subsidies to get us through this situation.”
Frustration grows as other longshoremen have more options for support.
“While there is some unemployment for workers and coastal residents, we independent truck drivers have not received any assistance,” Mensah said.
A representative from the governor’s office said that as of today, assistance is available to “self-employed individuals” like Frederick through the Department of Labor.
Next week, the Commerce Department plans to provide grants of up to $100,000 to affected businesses.
