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Van Hollen, Alsobrooks, McClain Delaney Encourage Residents to Seek Assistance Through the U.S. Small Business Administration in Wake of Severe Flash Flooding

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (all D-Md.) encouraged Allegany and Garrett County small businesses, non-profits, homeowners, and renters to seek resources available to them through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Disaster Assistance program. On Monday, following the encouragement of the lawmakers, SBA announced Allegany and Garrett’s inclusion in the program in the wake of the severe flash flooding in Western Maryland that left businesses and personal property severely damaged.

“This month’s severe flooding wreaked havoc on both the lives and livelihoods of residents and small business owners across Western Maryland. I saw the impact firsthand, and we have much work ahead of us to rebuild in the wake of this historic flooding. That’s why I urged the Small Business Administration to ensure critical federal resources are made available to local business owners, non-profits, homeowners, and renters. The inclusion of Allegany and Garrett Counties in this disaster declaration will help provide access to key resources to support the recovery process, and I encourage local businesses and residents to take advantage of this program,” said Senator Van Hollen. Last week, Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, pressed SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler on upholding the SBA’s obligation to provide relief for the Allegany and Garrett communities.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Maryland, including in our beloved Mountain Maryland. When disaster strikes, we must support our small businesses to ensure they can continue to fuel our economy,” said Senator Alsobrooks. “As Allegany and Garrett Counties work to rebuild and recover after the devastating flooding, I am grateful the Small Business Administration is available to offer relief.”

“As someone who represents Allegany and Garrett Counties, my heart has been with the families and small businesses affected by the recent floods. I’m truly grateful that the SBA is stepping in with this much-needed support. It’s an important step toward helping our communities recover, and I’ll keep working to make sure they have the resources and help they need to rebuild and move forward,” said Congresswoman McClain Delaney.

The assistance offered by the SBA includes:

  • Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
  • Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.

The SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Center will open on Thursday, May 29 at 10:00 am and be located at the First Assembly of God Westernport Activities Center, 103 1st St, Westernport, MD 21562. SBA staff will be onsite Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, and on Saturdays from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.  The center will close permanently at 3:00 pm on June 13.

Business owners and residents in Allegany and Garrett Counties are encouraged to visit the SBA’s Disaster Declaration portal for information on how to apply for disaster loans. The deadline to file for physical damage assistance is July 21, 2025. The deadline to file for economic injury assistance is February 23, 2026. To receive additional information or assistance, constituents can call Senator Van Hollen’s office at (301) 545-1500, Senator Alsobrooks’ office at (301) 860-0414, and Representative McClain Delaney’s office at (301) 926-0300.