COVID-19: Resources for Businesses

Local, State and Federal Business Assistance Programs

Montgomery County encourages local businesses to explore all forms of Federal and State assistance that may be available.

Resources to assist in this search include:

Tourism Anchor Institution Grant Program

The Montgomery County Tourism Anchor Institution Grant Program provides financial assistance to non-profit and for-profit entities in Montgomery County that are tourist-oriented and have a mission that focuses on arts, culture, agriculture and/or recreation.

The local tourism industry has been extremely hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and projections point to a long recovery period. The survival of the County’s tourism anchor institutions – those facilities that attract a large number of visitors -- is critical to maintaining the County’s leisure and hospitality industry and outstanding quality of life.

The County Council passed a special appropriation under Resolution 19-493 creating the Tourism Anchor Institution Grant Program to provide for a total of $5 million of support to organizations that qualify.  

Learn more about the Tourism Anchor Institution Grant Program.

Restaurant Relief Grant Program

The restaurant industry has been severely impacted by the pandemic, losing revenue and customers due to public health related concerns, closures and restrictions. In response, Governor Hogan set aside $50 million for restaurant relief, sending approximately $8 Million to Montgomery County to aid its restaurants.

On November 17, the Montgomery County Council authorized Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) to administer and award grants of up to $10,000 to the following types of local businesses:
  • Restaurants
  • Food trucks
  • Caterers
  • Food-serving breweries and wineries
  • Locally-owned franchises
  • Restaurants in hotels and arts/entertainment/recreational venues

Applications were accepted from November 20 through December 4, 2020.

Details about this program are available on the MCEDC Restaurant Relief Grant Program home page. Review the Restaurant Relief Grant Program FAQs for additional information and email questions to: restaurantrelief@thinkmoco.com.

Reopen Montgomery Grant Program

Outdoor tents and heaters are allowable reimbursable expenses for Reopen Montgomery Grants. Please review and follow the safety guidelines for use.

Businesses COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for Outdoor Tents
Electrical Circuit Guidelines for Outdoor Heaters

Reopen Montgomery is a grant program that reimburses Montgomery County businesses for expenses incurred to comply with State and County reopening requirements. These requirements are established to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and maintain public health.

A business or non-profit organization is eligible to receive assistance from the Reopen Montgomery Program if it:

  • has its physical location(s) only in the County; or its County-based locations account for more than 50% of the business’s total number of employees or 50% of the business’s gross sales;
  • employs 100 or less full-time-equivalent employees;
  • has not received financial assistance from the County (including from the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation) for reopening expenses related to the COVID-19 health crisis; and
  • has incurred “Reopening Reimbursable Expenditures,” as defined in Paragraph 9, between March 16, 2020, and 30 days following the date when the County starts Phase 3 reopening.

Applications will be reviewed using a rolling random lottery system until funds are expended.

Visit the Reopen Montgomery Program web page to learn more about this grant.

Questions about the program may be directed to Reopen@montgomerycountymd.gov. 
 

Important Updates on Unemployment Benefits

Includes self-employed, independent contractors, “gig” workers.

 

Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act Unemployment Insurance Programs

On December 27, the federal COVID-19 relief package, called the “Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act” that extends the CARES Act programs and provides additional federal unemployment benefits, was signed into law.

Read the details of the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act

Visit the Maryland Department of Labor Division of Unemployment for additional information. 
Small Business Owners Guide to the CARES Act

Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Instructions and Application


State and County Resources:

Contacts

Maryland Secretary of Commerce
Montgomery County Government
For Grocery stores to provide hours of service for the elderly and at-risk
 

Additional Business Resources: