COVID-19 Business Resources
St. Mary's County Department of Economic Development understands that this is a challenging period for many members of our business community. We are arming ourselves with resources to share with you in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic. We support you and will continue to be ready to answer your questions and concerns during this time.
In response to national and statewide efforts to contain the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), many members of the St. Mary's County Department of Economic Development team will be teleworking. We will continue to be available via email and phone during this time.
All employees are available via email and phone which are listed on our website here.
Click the button below to read Department Director, Chris Kaselemis' Letter to the Business Community
Current Updates
St. Mary's County Restaurant Relief Fund II
Restaurants will have access to grant funding of up to $10,000!
The second round of the grant program will have a maximum budget of $470,000. The goal is to provide grants to support St. Mary’s County restaurants (full service and carry out licenses), caterers, food trucks, and bars that serve food.
Applicants must be in good standing with the State of Maryland, St. Mary’s County Department of Land Use and Growth Management, Office of the Treasurer, and the Health Department.
Grant funds may be used for
- working capital, such as rent, payroll and job training,
- purchase of equipment and services to expand outdoor dining areas, such as tents, heaters, warmers, and carts,
- infrastructure improvements, such as HVAC system upgrades,
- technology to support carryout and delivery,
- purchase of PPE and disposable food containers or utensils, sanitation services, etc.
GUIDES TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS RE-OPEN
Center for Disease Control
- Plan, Prepare, and Respond
- Considerations for Restaurants and Bars
- Interim guidance for resuming operations
- Workplaces Considerations for Reopening During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Interim guidance for employers with workers at high risk of severe illness
State of Maryland
- Back to Business Guidelines for Industry Sectors
- Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery
- Food Safety
- Amending and Reinstating Alternative Alcohol Services
- General Best Practices
St. Mary’s County Health Department
Other
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce - A Guide to Reopening Your Business
- National Restaurant Association - COVID-19 Re-opening Guidance
- International Council of Shopping Centers - Coronavirus Re-opening Best Practices
- Nonprofit Institute at CSM
COVID-19 RESOURCES
St. Mary’s County Government
- St. Mary’s County COVID-19 Pandemic Roadmap to Recovery
- County COVID-19 Community Resource Map
- COVID-19 Operational Status Updates
- Public Health Order
Maryland State Government
- Governor Hogan Executive Orders
- MD Department of Commerce Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Businesses
- MD Department of Labor | Division of Unemployment Insurance
- Frequently Asked Questions for Maryland Businesses Planning and Responding to the Coronavirus
- MD Department of Health: COVID-19 Outbreak Dashboard
United States of America Government
- Paycheck Protection Program
- CARES Act | Frequently Asked Questions
- SBA Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
- CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- IRS Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses
- OSHA/HHS Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- Department of Labor COVID-19 Control and Prevention
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Combating the Coronavirus
Small Business Development Center Southern Region Resources
- COVID-19 Small Business Survival Guide
- SBA Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
- Small Business Administration (SBA) Guidance
Current Funding Opportunities
- LISC-Lowe's Rural Relief Small Business Grants program - Only small businesses located in rural communities are eligible at this time. Rural communities are defined as having a population of 50,000 or less.
- MSBDFA Program - COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan Fund - provides emergency financial relief to eligible businesses that have experienced economic hardship due to the ongoing pandemic with low-interest rates and low-documentation loans. Five-year term loans ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 will be available with an interest rate of zero percent for the first 12 months and two percent for the remaining term of the loan.
- Main Street Lending Program Nonprofit Loan Options - Federal Reserve Board modifies Main Street Lending Program to provide greater access to credit for nonprofit organizations such as educational institutions, hospitals, and social service organizations
- Maryland Nonprofit Recovery Initiative (NORI) - The State of Maryland will begin accepting applications eligible nonprofit organizations can receive up to $50,000 in grant assistance for operational support.
- Maryland State Arts Council- Special grant opportunity that provides emergency funding to arts organizations and artists in Maryland as they adjust to losses sustained because of programming, operations, and events that have been modified or cancelled.
- Professional Beauty Association COVID-19 Relief Fund - The PBA COVID-19 Relief Fund will provide $500 to licensed beauty professionals who are unable to work due to COVID-19. The funding, if awarded to you, is intended to be emergency aid for short-term immediate needs such as food and bills.
- The Red Backpack Fund – Elevating Female Entrepreneurs - The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation has donated $5 million to support female entrepreneurs in the wake of COVID-19 and teamed up with GlobalGiving to establish The Red Backpack Fund. GlobalGiving will be overseeing the fund, making 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. to help alleviate the immediate needs and support the long-term recovery of those impacted by the crisis. The portal will open for applications again on August 3.
- Business Owners’ Idea Café Small Business Grant - $1,000 plus advertising opportunities grant is open to anyone who currently owns a small business that has been in existence for at least six months. There are no entry fees and a complete business plan is not required.
- Grants.gov
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St. Mary's County Department of Economic Development
23115 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Email: ded@stmaryscountymd.gov
301-475-4200, ext 1400
FAX: 301-475-4414