Financial Assistance

State Programs

• As of October 22, Governor Hogan has announced a new $250 million relief package for businesses throughout Maryland.
• Additional funding has been allocated to the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund. We are not accepting new grant applications and will continue to distribute funds on a first-come, first-served basis based on the applications we have already received. Please visit our FAQs for more information on disbursement.
  • If you have questions or concerns about these funds, please email covid-19.application@maryland.gov.
• $50 million will be allocated for direct relief to restaurants. The funding will go through local jurisdictions and must be distributed no later than December 31, 2020. You must apply through your local jurisdiction. These grants can be used for working capital, such as rent, payroll, and job training, purchase of equipment and services to expand outdoor dining, such as tents, heaters, warmers, and carts, infrastructure improvements, such as HVAC system upgrades, technology to support carryout and delivery, purchase of PPE and disposable food containers or utensils, sanitation services, and any other costs as long as those costs are eligible for funding by the local jurisdiction.
  • Please direct all questions regarding restaurant funding to Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov.
• The Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority (MSBDFA) will receive an additional $5 million for loans for businesses owned by economically and socially disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
• The Maryland State Arts Council’s Emergency Grant Program will receive an additional $3 million for those who have experienced losses because of programming, operations, and events that have been modified or canceled. This funding is available to county arts agencies, Arts & Entertainment District management entities, arts organizations, and independent artists. New applications will be accepted from October 30 - November 13.
• The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development will provide $20 million in funding for entertainment venues and for the state's 33 designated Main Street Maryland communities and Baltimore City's 8 designated Main Street neighborhoods to support local businesses. The application period will close on November 20. For questions, contact dhcd.mdseri@maryland.gov.
  • Eligible entertainment venues include nonprofit and for-profit live music and performance venues, live entertainment promoters, and independently-owned local movie theaters.
  • Funding for tourism nonprofits, including museums, cultural attractions, zoos, and aquariums, is also available.
  • Main Street communities and neighborhoods must provide relief grants to businesses to assist with costs related to capital improvements and/or operating in order for the business to continue to safely operate, expand operations, or adapt their business model.
• The Maryland Department of Labor will provide $20 million for the state’s COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, which is designed to prevent or minimize the duration of unemployment resulting from layoffs. Applications are now being accepted. The award (up to $50,000 per applicant), will be a quick deployable benefit and customizable to the specific needs of your business to minimize the need for layoffs. This funding is not for rent and this funding is not for employee wages unless approved for Unemployment Insurance Work Sharing participation.
  • For questions, contact laborcovid19.layoffaversion2@maryland.gov.
• Destination Marketing Organizations will receive $2 million to support hometown tourism efforts that promote local restaurants, attractions, and shops.
• An additional $100 million will be used for the Emergency Rapid Response Fund for Small Businesses and can be deployed to areas where there is the greatest need.
• The Maryland Nonprofit Recovery Initiative helps address revenue reductions and expense increases for nonprofits impacted by COVID-19.
• The U.S. EDA has awarded Maryland with $3.4 million to support the state’s small businesses. From this, $770,000 has been awarded to recapitalize the Maryland Economic Adjustment Fund (MEAF) program.
• The Maryland Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for a new relief program for farmers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will accept applications for economic relief funds for the commercial seafood industry.

Local Programs

The state of Maryland and its local governments received nearly $2.4 billion from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established through the CARES Act. Our 24 jurisdictions will receive $1.05 billion in federal funding, either directly or from the state. Part of this allotment can be used for each county to set up a COVID-19 relief program in order to assist businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic.

• Allegany County - Restaurant Relief Fund
• Anne Arundel County - Childcare Providers Support Grants; Humanitarian Relief Fund; Community Crisis Response Grant; Restaurant and Food Service Recovery Grant 
• Baltimore City - Small Business Assistance Grant; Restaurant Grants
• Baltimore County - Small Business Reimbursement Grant Program; Restaurant Reimbursement Program; Restaurant Grant Program
• Calvert County - Restaurant Relief Fund 
• Carroll County - Carroll Retail & Restaurant Relief 
• Caroline County - Emergency Grant Funding for Small Businesses
• Cecil County - Cecil Cares Small Business Grant; Cecil Catalyst COVID-19 Loans; Cecil Restaurant Relief
• Charles County - COVID-19 Business Loans; Grants; Restaurant Relief Grant 
• Dorchester County - COVID-19 Grant Relief Program; Restaurant Grant Relief 
• Frederick County - Restaurant Relief Grant
• Garrett County - Restaurant Relief Grant
• Harford County - COVID -19 Business Relief Grants; Winter Restaurant Relief Grant; Childcare Provider Relief Grant
• Howard County - HoCo RISE Business Relief Grant; Restaurant Relief Fund
• Kent County - Restaurant Relief Grant; Sanitation Reimbursement Grant
• Montgomery County - Reopen Montgomery Grant Program; Tourism Anchor Institution Grant; Restaurant Relief Grant
• Prince George’s County - Hourly Employee Relief Fund; Restaurant Resiliency Fund
• Queen Anne’s County - Small Business Assistance and Recovery Fund; COVID Sanitation Fund; Restaurant Relief Grant
• Somerset County - Restaurant Relief Fund
• St. Mary’s County - COVID-19 Small Business and Non-Profit Relief Fund; Restaurant Relief Fund
• Talbot County - Restaurant Relief Fund
  
• Washington County - Direct Relief for Restaurants Grant 
  
• Worcester County - Restaurant Relief Program 

Federal Programs

Small Business Administration

• The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is accepting applications from small businesses, private non-profits, and agricultural businesses.
• SBA allows small businesses with existing loans to defer payments by up to six months to supplement their cash flow during the crisis. Those businesses should reach out to their lenders to talk about this sort of modification.
• View general SBA guidance for businesses or use this interactive map to find local assistance, including Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE business mentors, and more.

Paycheck Protection Program

The SBA has released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. This action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Additional Resources

• The U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Scaling Pandemic Resilience Through Innovation and Technology (SPRINT) Challenge is a $25 million national competition designed to support eligible organizations working to rapidly address the economic, health, and safety risks caused by the coronavirus pandemic through entrepreneurship and innovation.
  
• The CARES Act - Passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. View more information from the U.S. Department of the Treasury or an eligibility guide for businesses.
  
• Community Development Block Grant - The CARES Act includes support for economic development agencies and programs, including CDBG, assistance to minority business development centers and minority chambers of commerce, several million for state arts and humanities agencies and partners, and more, to assist businesses in need.
  
• Employee Retention Credit - The CARES Act establishes this refundable, 50% payroll tax credit covering up to $10,000 paid per employee, including benefits from the period of March 13, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Read more, and view additional IRS guidance on Coronavirus tax relief.
  
• Eviction and Homelessness - $11.7 million in general funds will be directed to the Maryland Legal Services Corporation to provide legal services to families facing eviction and other housing security issues. 
  
• Independent Lenders - Maryland banks, credit unions, and financial service providers are operating under precautionary measures, with increased focus on mobile, phone, and online services. If you anticipate having trouble making a loan payment, please notify your lender or loan servicing company as soon as possible to discuss your options. Early and regular communication is important. Visit the Maryland Bankers Association or view a list of credit unions operating in Maryland and their contact information.
  
  
• Maryland Manufacturing Network - Offers a central location where buyers, such as health care systems, local emergency management agencies, and essential companies, can identify which suppliers have PPE, health care equipment, and other essential items.
  
• Neighborhood BusinessWorks - Provides flexible financing to small businesses and non-profit organizations in sustainable communities and priority funding areas
  
• Opportunity Zone Microgrant Funding - Microgrants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 are available for early stage businesses and/or businesses that are expanding within an opportunity zone in Maryland. 
  
• Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Account - The state’s Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) Fund uses proceeds from slots to assist small, minority, and women-owned businesses located in targeted areas surrounding six Maryland casinos.