COVID-19

Financial Assistance

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State Programs

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• The Maryland Department of Commerce is still offering: 

  • Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Manufacturing Fund - This $5 million incentive program helps Maryland manufacturers to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) that is urgently needed by hospitals and health-care workers across the country. Learn more.

• The Maryland State Arts Council has created special grant opportunities that provide emergency funding to arts organizations and artists in Maryland. Learn more.

• The Maryland Agricultural Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) has launched the Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund Program to help Maryland's food and fiber producers, harvesters, and primary processors adjust to business disruptions. Learn more.

• Maryland Unemployment: Here's the FAQs to help understand the availability of unemployment to small business owners and employees who are shut down and non-essential during this crisis. https://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/uicovidfaqs.shtml

 

Federal Programs

 

Paycheck Protection Program

• The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides loan guarantees to small businesses to assist with payroll costs for workers who are forced to stay home. Loans will be available for firms that meet SBA small business size standards, self-employed, sole proprietors, independent contractors (i.e., workers in the “gig” economy), and certain nonprofits including 501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(19)s, and tribal business concerns with fewer than 500 employees.

• The goal of these loans is to help businesses keep workers on the payroll; if they keep all employees on the payroll for eight weeks and use the funds for expenses like payroll, rent and utilities, the SBA will forgive the loan.

 

 

THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM PROVIDES FEDERAL GUARANTEES FOR FORGIVABLE LOANS ISSUED BY BANKS AND OTHER LENDERS TO SMALL BUSINESSES. CONSULT WITH YOUR EXISTING LENDER FIRST TO SEE IF THEY ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM OR FIND A PARTICIPATING LENDER IN YOUR AREA HERE.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND A LIST OF ACTIVE LENDING PARTNERS THROUGHOUT MARYLAND HERE. 

READ A PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM FAQ FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY HERE.

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The CARES Act

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• The CARES Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. Read an overview here and a Q&A from the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship can be found here. Additional information from the U.S. Department of the Treasury can be found here.

• In addition to establishing the Paycheck Protection Program, the CARES Act creates several new resources to assist businesses during this crisis.

• Relief to States and Territories

  • The CARES Act also creates a $150 billion Coronavirus relief fund for states and territories.

  • $139 billion is set aside for states and is allocated based on population, using latest census data. There is a minimum of $1.25 billion per state. Maryland is expected to receive an estimated $2.344 billion. Local governments in jurisdictions with populations of at least 500,000 may request a direct payment from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

• Payroll Tax Credit

  • The CARES Act establishes a refundable, 50% payroll tax credit (the Employee Retention Credit) covering up to $10,000 paid per employee, including benefits from the period of March 13, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Read more, and find additional IRS guidance on Coronavirus tax relief here.

• Additional Provisions

  • For companies with more than 500 employees, the CARES Act provides $500 billion distributed to distressed industries, including passenger airlines, cargo air carriers, and industries related to national security. Read more.

  • The CARES Act also includes support for economic development agencies and programs, including funding for the Community Development Block Grant, assistance to minority business development centers and minority chambers of commerce, several million for state arts and humanities agencies and partners, and more, to assist businesses in need. Read more.

 

Small Business Administration

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• Governor Hogan announced on March 19 that the entire state of Maryland has received official designation for SBA assistance. Individual businesses can apply directly to the SBA for low-interest loans through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Visit SBA's website to apply now.

• With the passage of the CARES Act, an additional $10 billion has been added to the SBA’s EIDL program, which provides low-interest loans to companies affected by the outbreak. There is also a new emergency $10,000 advance from SBA. This advance may be available even if your EIDL application was declined or is still pending, and will be forgiven.

• The expansion of the EIDL program now includes tribal businesses, cooperatives, ESOP’s, individual contractors, sole proprietors, and private non-profits with less than 500 employees.

• SBA is also allowing small businesses with existing loans to defer payments by up to six months to supplement their cash flow during the crisis. Those businesses should reach out to their lenders to talk about this sort of modification.

• General SBA guidance for businesses can be found here. If you need additional help navigating the SBA process, Maryland SBDC can help.

• For even more help, join one of SBA’s daily webinars or conference calls.

  • 3:00 pm, Daily Call – 202-765-1264; ID # 827-299-626

  • 5:30 pm, Daily Call – 202-765-1264, ID # 310-688-488

  • 10:30 am and 8:00 pm – Zoom Webinar. Download the ZOOM app for free. Meeting # 6794772946. Have all your necessary documents ready.

 

Local Programs

• Baltimore City has created a $50,000 grant fund to assist local manufacturers with start-up costs related to the production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Read more. They are also asking businesses to fill out this survey.

• Baltimore County is asking businesses to fill out this survey to learn how the pandemic is impacting organizations throughout the region.

• Cecil County is providing immediate grant support for businesses hardest hit by COVID-19. Download the application.

• Frederick County is asking businesses and nonprofits to complete this survey to assess the needs of the community.

• The Montgomery County Council has voted to create an emergency grant program and provide $20 million in funding for those impacted by the pandemic.

  • The Public Health Emergency Grant Program will provide grant funding up to $75,000 to small businesses and nonprofits. The county will also provide microgrants up to $2,500 to cover costs associated with purchasing teleworking equipment. Read more.

• Prince George’s County is providing $15 million for the COVID-19 Business Relief Fund. Small businesses will have access to loans up to $100,000 and grant funding of up to $10,000. Read more.

  • The county is also coordinating efforts for a public-private partnership, which will provide an additional $900,000 in grants. Read more.

  • Lastly, the county launched its Hourly Employee Relief Fund. The fund is available for laid-off hourly workers who earned less than $19 an hour. Read more.

Independent Lenders

• Maryland banks, credit unions, and financial service providers are operating under precautionary measures, with increased focus on mobile, phone, and online services. If you anticipate having trouble making a loan payment, please notify your lender or loan servicing company as soon as possible to discuss your options. Early and regular communication is important. More information from the Maryland Bankers Association. And, view a list of credit unions operating in Maryland and their contact information.

 

 

Other Financial Programs

 

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One Fair Wage : We’re providing cash assistance to restaurant workers, car service drivers, delivery workers, personal service workers and more who need the money they aren’t getting to survive. Learn More here https://ofwemergencyfund.org/

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The Restaurant Employee Relief Fund (“Fund”) was created to help restaurant industry employees experiencing extraordinary hardship in the wake of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Through this Fund, grants will be made to restaurant industry employees who have been impacted by COVID-19, including a decrease in wages or loss of employment. Grants will be awarded as soon as possible to those individuals who meet the prescribed eligibility criteria, as reviewed and verified by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). This Fund is operated by the NRAEF, whose mission is to attract, empower and advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice workers. Learn More here https://rerf.us/

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You know what’s better than 100 million followers? $100 million in cash grants for small businesses. Facebook’s Small Business Grants Program is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for businesses impacted by COVID-19.

At press time, the social media giant was still working out details about the eligibility and application status. However, we do know a few key steps that the program provides businesses:

 

• The fund is available in the 30 countries where Facebook operates. The $100 million in cash grants and ad credits will be available for 30,000 eligible small businesses.

• The program, in addition to helping with rent costs and covering operational expenses, will allow small businesses to connect with even more customers and maintain a strong workforce.

• Facebook has launched a Business Resource Hub for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Here you’ll be able to find even more tools and resources to manage through a crisis like COVID-19.