New grant programs continue to be launched to provide aid to businesses struggling from the economic restrictions of COVID-19. Explore the programs available now, and prepare for opportunities coming soon.
Current Opportunities
Maryland State Arts Council's Emergency Grant:
Application is now open for the Maryland State Arts Council's Emergency Grants for losses sustained because of programming, operations, and events that have been modified or cancelled due to the COVID-19. $5 million of funding is available to: Independent artists, Arts organizations, County Arts agencies, and A&E District management entities. Deadline to apply: April 1, 2021. Learn more here.
Coming Soon!
State of Maryland COVID RELIEF ACT Programs:
Small Business COVID RELIEF Grant Program — Application opens March 30 at 9am
Small, Minority and Women Owned Business Account COVID RELIEF Program
Online Sales and Telework Assistance COVID RELIEF Grant Program
Restaurant Revitalization Fund:
The American Rescue Plan Act — passed earlier this month — created a $29.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The upcoming program will be administered through the Small Business Administration directly, and will be distributed in the form of grants to eligible food & beverage service businesses.
In general, eligible establishments may receive the difference between their 2019 gross receipts and their 2020 gross receipts. The law provides for separate calculations for businesses that began operations midway through 2019, that opened in 2020, or that are not operating yet but have incurred expenses before March 10, 2021 in anticipation of opening. Award amounts will be reduced by the amount of any PPP loan an applicant has received. Grants may be used for a wide variety of expenses, including payroll, mortgage, rent, utilities, supplies, food and beverage expenses, paid sick leave, and operational expenses.
More details and application information is expected in the coming weeks to appear on the SBA website.
Additional Program Expansions Through the American Rescue Plan:
Expansion of the Paycheck Protection Program eligibility to include more non-profits and digital news companies, as well as an additional $7.25 billion for the program
New targeted EIDL grants: $10 billion will provide full $10,000 grants to any prior EIDL applicant located in a low-income community and with losses of at least 30 percent that was either limited by the per-employee cap or was unable to receive an advance because funding had run out; and $5 billion will provide supplemental grants of $5,000 to severely impacted businesses eligible for a targeted grant with ten employees or fewer and losses of at least 50 percent
Additional funding towards the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program
Community Navigator Pilot Program: $100 million will be used by SBA to make grants to nonprofits, SBA resource partners—including Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, and SCORE chapters—and States, Tribes, and local governments to ensure the delivery of free community navigator services to current or prospective owners of eligible businesses in order to improve access to assistance programs and resources made available because of the COVID–19 pandemic by Federal, State, Tribal, and local entities. An additional $75 million will be used for the SBA to raise awareness of the navigator services and SBA’s COVID-19 assistance generally.
Learn more: Summary of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship relief initiatives funded by the American Rescue Plan Act
Need additional help or guidance? Don’t hesitate to reach out to The City of Frederick: Department of Economic Development for assistance or resources.