$3 Million in Grants Awarded to 66 Small Businesses Affected by Key Bridge Collapse

June 5, 2025

[Baltimore, MD] – The Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF), in partnership with the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) and three local community development organizations, have given $3 million in direct cash grants to 66 small businesses across Baltimore City, Southeast Baltimore County, and Northern Anne Arundel County. The grants were awarded through BCF’s Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Fund, established immediately following the March 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

The Key Bridge Small Business Direct Grant Program addresses losses in revenue, increased costs, and operational challenges stemming from the collapse to help businesses stabilize operations, pivot business models, and invest in long-term viability. The grants were administered via local nonprofit partners Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC), and Baltimore Community Lending (BCL).

Grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 were dispersed across a diverse group of industries — including trucking and freight, HVAC services, marine construction, auto repair, personal care services, food services, and retail. Many of these small businesses are family-run or locally owned, with longstanding community ties.

While each grantee’s experience is distinct, they face several common challenges: rising fuel costs and extended commute times for contractors and logistics providers, supply chain disruptions affecting restaurants and retailers, decreased foot traffic and customer cancellations, and widespread project delays.

“Giving local businesses the support they need to weather an unimaginable disruption and continue serving their communities is key to long-term regional recovery,” said Shanaysha Sauls, President and CEO of BCF. “We are grateful for our economic development partners and the resilient business owners who are not only rebuilding their operations but helping to restore economic vitality and stability across the region.”

Through BCF’s partnership with LEDC, 25 grants were awarded to impacted businesses in Baltimore County— including restaurants, trucking companies, and marine service providers. LEDC’s CEO, Emi Reyes, noted that many of the grant applicants faced canceled jobs, increased fuel and labor costs, and a decline in customers. “The collapse imposed significant and unexpected burdens. Yet the determination these businesses have shown is a true testament to our region’s resilience,” said Reyes. “Together with the Baltimore Community Foundation, we’re helping ensure that local businesses have the resources they need to recover and thrive.”

AAEDC supported the awarding of 24 grants in Anne Arundel County. AAEDC President and CEO, Amy Gowan, highlighted the widespread effect across industries. “Trucking, logistics, restaurants, and retailers all felt the long-term impacts. Many of these businesses were already working to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 shutdown, and this disruption added significant strain. This funding will go a long way toward helping these businesses stabilize and maintain strong communities,” Gowan said.

BCL awarded 17 grants in Baltimore City through BCF’s Key Bridge Fund to companies spanning transportation and logistics, supply chain, construction, and food services.

“The impact of the Key Bridge collapse has been both severe and long-lasting,” said Vice President and Director of the Small Business Lending Division, Bonnie Crockett. “From the disruption to a vital port to the destruction of a major highway connection, it seems small businesses have borne the brunt of the impact of the Key Bridge disaster.” Crockett continued, “We’re grateful to the Baltimore Community Foundation for their strong support of small businesses, as our shared mission of creating stronger, more vibrant communities makes this partnership especially meaningful.”

Grant recipients include businesses like Smokin’ Joe’s Grill and Guardian Landscaping in Southeast Baltimore County, A Triple CCC Logistics and Bouncy Rentals LLC in Anne Arundel County, Strum Contracting Co. and Unicorn & Woodsman LLC (owners of FutureMakers, an education learning services company) in Baltimore City — all of which continue to experience sharp disruptions due to the bridge collapse but remain resilient.

“The collapse of the Key Bridge created significant, unexpected challenges for businesses that are foundational to our region’s economy. We’re proud to partner with the Baltimore Community Foundation and our fellow economic development leaders to deliver meaningful relief through this grant program,” said Mark Anthony Thomas, President & CEO of GBC. “These investments not only help stabilize small businesses but also accelerate our shared commitment to a comprehensive and resilient regional recovery.”

Looking ahead, BCF and its partners will continue to monitor evolving needs across the region and explore additional opportunities to support impacted businesses as the long-term recovery continues. For more information, please visit https://www.bcf.org/key-bridge-grants-made/

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About AAEDC

Founded in 1993, the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Annapolis, Maryland. AAEDC’s mission is to foster diverse economic growth by empowering businesses, expanding job opportunities, and revitalizing communities in Anne Arundel County. As the go-to partner for local businesses, AAEDC supports the Anne Arundel County business community with key resources and services including financing, site selection, permitting and zoning guidance, market research, community revitalization, and small business counseling. Guided by its core values of connectivity, responsiveness, creativity, and excellence, AAEDC builds strategic partnerships and delivers innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of the business community. To learn more, visit www.aaedc.org.

About the Baltimore Community Foundation 

For over 50 years, the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) has connected people who are passionate about their community and purposeful in their philanthropy. BCF amplifies donors’ philanthropy with strategic grants, impact investments, special initiatives, and advocacy to strengthen schools and neighborhoods. Visit www.bcf.org to discover meaningful giving, invest your funds wisely, and join a diverse community working for a better Baltimore.

About the Greater Baltimore Committee

The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) is the leading economic and civic organization for the Baltimore Region, providing insightful economic and civic leadership to drive collective impact. GBC is powered by nearly 400 private sector partners, including large, mid-size, and small companies; nonprofits; foundations; and educational and healthcare institutions, the GBC is dedicated to fostering the prosperity of the Greater Baltimore region. Founded in 1955, the GBC merged in 2022 with the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore—an organization that marketed the region for business investments—and hired its first new leader in more than two decades.

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