January 4

Maryland Coronavirus Information for Businesses

https://govstatus.egov.com/md-coronavirus-business/financial-assistance

November 19

Montgomery County Business Portal (Click here)

This site has a nice summary of the tools, programs, and services available to local businesses.

Included on this page:

Primary Care and Dental Grant Program
Tourism Anchor Institution Grant Program
Reopen Montgomery Grant Program
Early Care and Education School Age Child Care Grant
Arts & Humanities COVID-19 Relief Fund
Important Updates on Unemployment Benefits
Additional Business Resources:
- Montgomery County OEMHS Business Preparedness Resources
- State of Maryland Resources for Businesses
- CDC Guidance for Businesses and Workplaces
- Small Business Administration Guidance and Loan Resources
- Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist from HHS
- US Chamber of Commerce – Combating Coronavirus
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) COVID-19 Guidance

Local, State and Federal Business Assistance Programs

Montgomery County encourages local businesses to explore all forms of Federal and State assistance that may be available.

Overview of COVID-19 Business Assistance Programs
Maryland Relief Wizard
Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation

November 10

Montgomery County Council Approves Executive Order 122-20 AM

Updated COVID-19 Guidelines Take Effect Today

This afternoon, the Montgomery County Council voted unanimously to approve Executive Order 122-20 AM . This order updates guidelines for businesses and individuals in light of recent increases in COVID-19 cases. This order takes effect TODAY at 5:00 pm.

How does this Executive Order impact my business?

Food service establishments:

Clarifies that, absent a Late Night Alcohol Sales Permit, food service establishments may not sell or provide alcohol to anyone after 10 pm, and that all alcohol must be collected from patrons by 10 pm
Clarifies that the suspension of the sale of alcohol at 10 pm does not apply to the sale for off-site consumption
Late Night Alcohol Sales Program:
- Opens the program to establishments who have not been cited or closed within the last 60 days to apply.
- Clarifies automatic suspension language.
- Amends the number of average days that trigger the suspension of the program from three days to seven days.
Clarifies that food sales, including drive-through or carryout, can continue after 10 pm
Adds that contact tracing information must be collected from one person in every dine-in party to assist with contact tracing.

Businesses, organizations, establishments and facilities that may be open at 25% occupancy:

Bowling alleys
Fitness centers
Indoor food service establishments
Museums and art galleries
Personal services
Retail establishments
Religious facilities

Gatherings:

Prohibits gatherings of more than 25 people at all locations and venues
Social, community, recreational, and leisure gatherings may resume provided the following physical precautions are met and followed:
- limited to one person or household per 200 sq. ft. or a maximum of 25 people, whichever number is lower; and
- the size of the location and venue must accommodate applicable social distancing for the number of attendees

Read the full Executive Order here.

October 26

Grants Up to $5,000 Still Available to Provide Assistance to Small Businesses and Nonprofits

Montgomery County businesses that have purchased items they need to comply with State and County requirements to protect the public health are encouraged to apply for a “Reopen Montgomery Small Business Grant”.

Examples of eligible expenses for reimbursement from the grant program are:

A business does not need to have been closed to be eligible for a Reopen Montgomery Grant.
Details — https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/biz-resources/reopen/
Questions — Reopen@montgomerycountymd.gov

October 22
Governor Hogan Announces $250 Million ‘Maryland Strong: Economic Recovery Initiative’

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. Details still to come.
- 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 arts organizations and artists.
The Department of Housing and Community Development will provide $20 million to assist hard-hit businesses and local entertainment venues within Main Street Maryland organizations as well as the Baltimore Main Streets programs.
The Maryland Department of Labor will provide $20 million for the state’s COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund.
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.

August 29

County Now Permits Additional Businesses to Reopen as Part of Updated Phase 2 Guidelines

The updated executive order:

Permits museums and art galleries to open with restrictions.
Permits bowling alleys to open with restrictions.
Clarifies a requirement for food service facilities to post signs advising customers about face covering and social distancing restrictions.
Recategorizes soccer as a medium-risk sport, which permits scrimmages and games to take place.
Modifies the definition of face covering to include covering the chin, as well as the mouth and nose.
Continues to prohibit sports tournaments unless the County issues a letter of approval.
Sets a 50-person limit for all sporting events that includes coaches, participants and spectators.
Prohibits sporting events with teams from outside the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MDMONTGOMERY/bulletins/29c00d1

August 24

If you need food assistance, call 311 and ask for the Food Access Call Center

August 23

Save the Date, Spread the Word! Free Produce Distribution. August 29th, 9:00-11:00

August 22

Participate in an Informational Webinar via Zoom on 8/24/2020 at 10:00am to discuss the upcoming lottery for the Reopen Montgomery Grant Program. Reopen Montgomery Program grants will reimburse Montgomery County businesses for expenses incurred to comply with State and County reopening requirements. Reopening requirements are established to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and maintain public health.

The County Council passed a special appropriation under Resolution 19-523 creating the Reopen Montgomery Program to provide grants of up to $5,000 per applicant. A total of $14M has been appropriated for this program to help County businesses reopen.

To register for this webinar, please visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrcuCtqzwsHtNJFBKuDb-eZqBKuZWU842Z to complete the registration process.

July 31

Clarksburg CAN, our community food bank, Chamber President, Stephanie Graves, members of the Clarksburg Church,

Cedarbrook Community Church, and other local volunteers gave away 300 boxes of fresh produce along with gallons of milk to help feed those in need. Click on Clarksburg CAN above to learn how you can help. Photo credit: Mike Redmond