Online Sales and Telework Grant Program

The Online Sales & Telework Grant Program offers local businesses the opportunity for increased visibility of their products and services through participation in a free centralized online Discover MoCo directory site. The grant funds can be used for costs such as developing or improving their websites and social media presence or providing funding to assist businesses with telework costs. To maximize access to Montgomery County’s diverse business and customer base, the Discover MoCo directory will be free for businesses and customers to use, mobile friendly, and multilingual.

Grant recipients are required to register their business at the free centralized online Discover MoCo directory site. To maximize access to Montgomery County’s diverse business and customer base, the Discover MoCo directory will be free for businesses and customers to use, mobile friendly, and multilingual.

If you have questions about the Telework grant program, email [email protected]. 

Prepare to apply

1. Review the Eligibility Requirements for the program. All grant applicants must be registered on the Discover MoCo business directory site:  https://visitmontgomery.com/discover-moco/submit/
2. Be sure to use the correct legal name of the organization on your application.
3. Check the taxpayer identification number and be sure it matches the legal name of the organization.
4. Ensure you are in “Good Standing” with the State of Maryland at the time of application.

Follow these steps to determine whether your business is in “Good Standing”:

1. Go to Maryland Business Express
2. In the "Business Quick Links" section, select "Business Entity Search".
3. Enter your business name and select "Search".
4. Your business will be listed if you are registered.
5. Select your business and check under the General Information tab to verify that your business is in Good Standing. It is not necessary to order a copy of your certificate of good standing.

Submit Business Directory Information to Discover MoCo Platform:
Business owners or their representatives must submit their directory listing information through an online form located at https://visitmontgomery.com/discover-moco/submit/.  

Eligibility Requirements

1. Business must have been established prior to March 9, 2020.
2. Business must currently be in operation.
3. Business must be registered and in good standing with Maryland SDAT (not applicable for sole proprietors).
4. Business must be registered on the Discover MoCo Business Directory.

            Priority will be given to:

• Businesses which have not received a COVID-19 Business Relief grant or loan from the Maryland Department of Commerce or a grant from the Maryland Department of Labor for the purchase of equipment to assist in the expansion of opportunities for telework.
• Businesses that have 20 or fewer full time equivalent (FTE) employees.

Allowable Use of Online Sales & Telework Grant Funds

Grantees are allowed to use funds for:

• Increasing your online sales presence through participation in the free centralized online Discover MoCo directory sit and for costs such as developing or improving websites and social media presence.
• Purchase of hardware or software needed to enhance teleworking operations for staff.

Application Review Process

Applications will be reviewed for eligibility based on the criteria listed above. 
Grants of up to $10,000 each will be available. Each qualified applicant will receive a pro-rata share of the $789,000 of total funding available.  Therefore, the actual grant amounts will be determined by the total number of eligible applicants.