WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The Baltimore Development Corporation has estimated more than 380 businesses were damaged in the rioting.
“With hundreds of businesses harmed by rioting and tens of millions of dollars in expenses and lost economic activity in Baltimore, it is essential that the city receives strong support from federal agencies like the SBA [Small Business Administration],” US Senator Ben Cardin stated on Friday.
Earlier on Friday, the SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet announced that additional resources are needed to aid the small businesses of Baltimore that were damaged during the racially charged riots in April 2015.
The SBA promised more than $1 million in federal assistance, which will include microloans, grants and increased funding for entrepreneurial development.
US Senator Barbara Mikulski noted in the release that Baltimore neighborhoods have been “crying out” for help since the riots began.
“People who are counting on us need to have a government on their side and a real opportunity ladder based on hard work,” Mikulski said.
US Representative Elijah Cummings emphasized that strong local businesses in Baltimore will be a part of rebuilding the damage done to the community by the riots.
The riots erupted after Freddie Gray, a young African-American, died from injuries sustained while in police custody.
