COVID-19: Businesses Assistance Programs

Best Practices for applying to financial relief programs

Verify that your business is in Good Standing with the State of Maryland ( About Good Standing)
- Go to the Maryland Business Express Business Entity Search;
- Enter your business name and select "Search";
- Your business will be listed if you are registered;
- Select your business and check under the General Information tab to verify that your business is in Good Standing.
Read all eligibility requirements prior to applying
If a program has a deadline, apply as soon as practical and avoid last minute applications

Montgomery County Resources

Program	Status	About this program	Program website
Hotel Relief Grant Program Round IV	OPEN	Provides grants of up to $500 per room to locally-owned hotels and other lodging establishments.	https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Biz-Resources/hrg/
Montgomery County Economic Development Grant for Nonprofits - Phase Two	CLOSED	Provides competitively selected grants ranging from $7,500 to $25,000 with additional potential grants of $50,000 or $100,000. Open to nonprofits that offer programming in Montgomery County and can specify how these funds contribute to economic development in the county.	https://thinkmoco.com/covid-19-resources/nonprofits-grant-program
Montgomery County Economic Development Grant for Nonprofits	CLOSED	Grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 for Montgomery County nonprofits whose work aligns with the state’s intent to assist community organizations that create and sustain jobs.	https://thinkmoco.com/covid-19-resources/nonprofits-grant-program
Restaurant Relief Grant Program -- Phase III	CLOSED	Provides grants of up to $10,000 to eligible County restaurants and other food-service businesses that did not apply in earlier phases. Restaurants and other food service establishments that recieved Phase I or II grant awards may be eligible for an additional $5,000 grant.	COVID-19 Resources — MCEDC (thinkmoco.com)
Small Business Rental Relief Grant Program	CLOSED	Provides grants to small businesses in qualifying industries to support rental costs, both current and arrears rent payments.	https://www.ledcmetro.org/small_biz_rental_assistance
Restaurant Relief Grant Program -- Phase II	CLOSED	Provides grants of up to $10,000 to eligible County restaurants and other food-service businesses that did not apply in Phase I. Provides additional $5,000 grant to restaurants and other food service establishments that recieved Phase I grant awards.	COVID-19 Resources — MCEDC (thinkmoco.com)
Restaurant Relief Grant Program -- Phase I	CLOSED	Provides grants of up to $10,000 to eligible County restaurants and other food-service businesses.	COVID-19 Resources — MCEDC (thinkmoco.com)
Reopen Montgomery Grant	CLOSED	Reimburses Montgomery County businesses for expenses incurred to comply with State and County reopening requirements.	www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Biz-Resources/reopen/
Tourism Anchor Institution Grant Program	CLOSED	Provides financial assistance to non-profit entities in Montgomery County that are tourist-oriented and have a mission that focuses on arts, culture, agriculture and/or recreation.	www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Biz-Resources/tourism/index.html
Primary Care and Dental Grant Program	CLOSED	Competitive grant program for independent primary care medical and general dentistry practices based in Montgomery County.	https://mocomedicaldentalgrant.my.stacker.app/register
Early Care and Education School Age Child Care Grant	CLOSED	Supports school age child care providers operating licensed child care programs in public school buildings and working parents.	www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Biz-Resources/ecesag/
Arts & Humanities COVID-19 Relief Fund	CLOSED	Provides support to the organization and can be used for programming costs or vital administration costs, such as rent, utilities, and employee salaries.	www.creativemoco.com/grant/covid-19-relief-funds/
Early Care and Education Initiative Recovery Fund (ECEIRF)	CLOSED	Provides reopening expenses for licensed childcare center programs, registered family childcare homes and letter of compliance programs.	www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Biz-Resources/eceirp/
Public Health Emergency Grant (PHEG)	CLOSED	Provides financial assistance to Montgomery County for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations that have experienced significant financial loss caused directly or indirectly by a public health emergency.	www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Biz-Resources/pheg/
Microenterprise Stabilization Program	CLOSED	Provides financial assistance to income-eligible for-profit businesses with five or fewer employees that have experienced a reduction in revenue as a result of the current public health emergency.
Montgomery County Food Assistance Provider Capacity Building Grant	CLOSED	Funding to help providers increase organizational capacity to store, distribute and deliver shelf stable, frozen, or refrigerated grocery items and/or meals.	hifmc.org/for-grantseekers/covid-19-food-access-grant/
Telework Assistance Program Fund	CLOSED	Reimburses Montgomery County businesses and non-profit organizations for expenses incurred to implement a telework policy due to the COVID-19 health crisis.
Local Production Fund	CLOSED	Supports small and medium-sized manufacturers/producers with the working capital necessary to make pandemic-related items, such as face shields, medical supplies and other essential items.	thinkmoco.com/covid-19-resources/makers-and-manufacturers

State of Maryland Resources

Program	Status	About this program	Program website
Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Programs	OPEN	Various programs available.	commerce.maryland.gov/fund/maryland-small-business-covid-19-emergency-relief-fund-programs
Work Sharing Unemployment Insurance Program	OPEN	Voluntary program that provides an alternative to layoffs for employers faced with a temporary, non-cyclical decline in business due to lower economic activity.	www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/worksharing/
COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund - Workforce Development and Adult Learning	CLOSED	Supports small businesses undergoing economic stresses due to the pandemic by preventing or minimizing the duration of unemployment resulting from layoffs.	https://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/covidlafund.shtml
Maryland State Arts Council Emergency Grant	CLOSED	Provides funding to arts organizations and artists for losses sustained because of programming, operations, and events that have been modified or cancelled.
Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund Program -- Maryland Agriculture & Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO)	CLOSED	Helps Maryland’s food and fiber producers, harvesters and primary processors adjust to the business disruptions caused by COVID-19.	www.marbidco.org/_pages/programs_loans/loan_programs_palpf_1.htm
Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund	CLOSED	Grants for qualifying capital equipment purchases and facility upgrades for on-farm production, processing and storage, as well as wood processing and seafood processing, on the condition that these businesses are making pandemic-related business improvements.	www.marbidco.org/_pages/programs_grants/grant_programs_pagf.htm

Federal Government Resources

Program	Status	About this program	Program website
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant	OPEN	Provides emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by COVID-19.	https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/shuttered-venue-operators-grant
Economic Injury Disaster Loan	OPEN	Provides economic relief to small businesses and non-profit organizations that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue.	www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/economic-injury-disaster-loans
SBA Small Business Debt Relief Program	OPEN	Provides a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.	www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/sba-debt-relief
IRS Delay of Payment of Employer Payroll Taxes	OPEN	Allows businesses to defer paying the employer portion of certain payroll taxes through the end of 2020.	www.irs.gov/newsroom/deferral-of-employment-tax-deposits-and-payments-through-december-31-2020
IRS Employee Retention Tax Credit	OPEN	Encourages businesses to keep employees on their payroll. The refundable tax credit is 50 percent of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer.	https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-employee-retention-credit-available-for-many-businesses-financially-impacted-by-covid-19
Restaurant Revitalization Fund	CLOSED	Provides emergency assistance for eligible restaurants, bars, and other qualifying businesses impacted by COVID-19.	https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/restaurant-revitalization-fund
SBA Express Bridge Loans	CLOSED	Allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.	www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/sba-express-bridge-loans
Federal Reserve Main Street Lending Program	CLOSED	Keeps credit flowing to small and mid-sized businesses and nonprofit organizations that were in sound financial condition before the coronavirus pandemic but now need financing to maintain operations.	www.bostonfed.org/supervision-and-regulation/supervision/special-facilities/main-street-lending-program.aspx