Maryland Commerce Department, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and District of Columbia Announce Disaster Recovery Loan Programs

This blog was updated as of 4/24/2020. 

Montgomery County, MD

On March 31, 2020, Montgomery County, Maryland passed the Public Health Emergency Grant Program. The program entails the following:

• Public Health Emergency Grant Program:
  • Application
  • PHEG will stop accepting applications at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 25.
  • This $20M loan fund offers grants to small businesses and nonprofits.
  • Grants are up to $75,000 in funding.
  • Businesses must have less than 100 employees and demonstrate the finance loss and impact from COVID-19.
  • A quarter of the funding is reserved for restaurants and retailers.
  • Grant funding must be used for employee wages and benefits, taxes, debt, rent, or other operating losses during the public health emergency.
  • Another $5M on top of the initial grant program will be used for individuals who need assistance with food, rent, and other necessities.
  • The County is also offering mini grants of up to $2,500 to help cover the cost of purchasing technology and software for employees to work remotely.
  • Find more information here.
  • On April 21^st 2020, Montgomery County Council approved $5 Million in additional financial assistance to local restaurants and small retail shops. This is in addition to the $5 Million allocated from the original pool of $20 Million under the PHEG Program

Prince George’s County, MD

On April 1, 2020, Prince George’s County, Maryland announced the COVID-19 Business Relief Fund, a $15M grant and loan program. The program entails the following:

• COVID-19 Business Relief Fund
  • This is a $15M fund to provide assistance to small businesses in Prince George’s County.
  • To be eligible, businesses must be for-profit. New business ventures are not eligible.
  • The funds must be used to support cash operating expenses and not to exceed $100,000.
  • The application is open from April 13, 2020–May 15, 2020. 
• County Grant
  • This $2.5M grant under the $15M fund offers working capital to businesses interrupted by COVID-19.
  • Businesses under 10 employees are eligible for up to $5,000.
  • Businesses over 10 employees are eligible for up to $10,000.
• Loan Program Details:
  • To apply: You must retain jobs in the county and maintain operations for term of the loan.
  • Term: 3 years 10 Amortization
  • Rate: 3.75% fixed
  • Amount not to exceed $100,000
  • Deferred Payments: No principal or interest payments for 12 Months

Maryland

The Maryland Department of Commerce and Maryland Department of Labor announced business assistance programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Manufacturing Fund
  • Update: As of 5 p.m. on 4/21/20, Maryland Commerce is no longer accepting applications for its 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. More information coming by Friday, March 27, 2020.
  Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan Fund
  • Update: This program is no longer accepting new applications as of 4/6/2020.
  • This $75 million loan fund offers no interest or principal payments due for the first 12 months, then converts to a 36-month term loan of principal and interest payments, with an interest rate at 2% per annum.
  • Businesses must have less than 50 employees.
• Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund
  • Update: This program is no longer accepting new applications as of 4/6/2020.
  • This $50 million grant program offers grant amounts up to $10,000, not to exceed 3 months of demonstrated cash operating expenses for the first quarter of 2020.
• COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund – Workforce Development and Adult Learning
  • Update: This program is no longer accepting new applications as of 4/1/2020.
  • Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Department of Labor have launched the new COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, which is designed to support businesses undergoing economic stresses due to the pandemic by preventing or minimizing the duration of unemployment resulting from layoffs. The award (up to $50,000 per applicant), will be a quick deployable benefit and customizable to the specific needs of your business to minimize the need for layoffs.

Washington D.C.

In Washington D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the Small Business Recovery Microgrants program.

• Update: This program is no longer accepting new applications as of 4/1/2020.
• The program is for actively licensed businesses in Washington, D.C., that experienced at least 25% revenue loss due to COVID-19.
• 2017 and 2018 tax returns (personal returns are available if business returns are not), 2019 Profit & Loss Statement, Schedule of Liabilities must be prepared prior to applying.
• The application process will open on Tuesday, March 24th at coronavirus.dc.gov/recovery.
• Find additional information here.

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