Maryland Seeks SBA Disaster Loans for Anne Arundel
Governor Wes Moore has asked the U.S. Small Business Administration to declare a disaster for Anne Arundel County, Maryland, following a July 2026
Governor Wes Moore has formally requested a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration for Anne Arundel County. The request, made on July 9, 2026, seeks to provide financial relief to local businesses impacted by a structural emergency at the Empire Towers.
Moore stated that the emergency has profoundly affected the community's small businesses. He described them as the backbone of the area, ranging from medical clinics and insurance agencies to commercial cleaning and training services. The governor's office announced the request today.
The Requested Aid
If approved by the SBA, the declaration would activate the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program for the county. This program is designed to offer financial recovery support specifically to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofit organizations that have suffered economic harm.
Key features of the SBA's EIDL program, as outlined in the governor's request, include:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Loan Purpose | Working capital for ordinary operating expenses |
| Maximum Loan Amount | Up to $2 million |
| Interest Rate | As low as 4% for small businesses |
| Loan Term | Up to 30 years |
| Initial Payment Deferral | 12 months with no accruing interest |
Notably, businesses can qualify for these loans even if they did not sustain any physical property damage. The funds are intended to cover costs like payroll, fixed debts, accounts payable, utilities, and rent.
State and Local Coordination
Maryland Department of Emergency Management Secretary Russell Strickland called the Empire Tower situation an unusual and complex incident impacting the community. He acknowledged that Anne Arundel County government has worked hard to meet the needs of those affected.
The SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans requested by Governor Moore will be an important resource for the small businesses which have done their best to weather the situation, Strickland said.
The Maryland Department of Emergency Management has been coordinating support with the county throughout the incident. The state's goal is to provide immediate access to low-cost funding so business owners can handle economic hardship and rebuild.
Governor Moore emphasized that the sought-after declaration is intended to give affected owners access to loans with zero initial payments. The Moore-Miller administration stated it remains fully committed to supporting local business owners and ensuring they have necessary resources.
