October

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:

• Personal Protective Equipment (face masks, face shields, gloves, thermometer)
• Materials to create Barriers, Dividers, Protected Areas
• Contactless Payment System
• Cleaning Supplies (disinfectant, hand sanitizer, hand sanitizer dispenser, sanitary wipes)
• Signage (indoor/outdoor instructions, floor decals)
• Outdoor Furniture (tables, chairs, roping, stanchions, fencing, outdoor heaters, tents)
• Disposable Food Containers/Utensils
• Infrastructure improvements (HVAC system upgrades)

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

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

July 31