The Carroll County Board of Commissioners voted to accept Maryland Relief Act of 2021 funding for Carroll County, involving four new business grants from the state totaling nearly $1.5 million for COVID-19 relief.
Application information including criteria, dollar amounts, and start/close dates vary for each grant with more information posted as it becomes available, according to a news release from county government. All information will be available on the Department of Economic Development’s website. Interested businesses or persons should check the site regularly for updated information and apply online from this site.
The grants accepted were:
- Online Sales and Telework Assistance COVID RELIEF Grant Program: $13,915.48. To support Carroll County small businesses that expanded online sales and teleworking capabilities for their employees due to the continue financial impacts from the COVID-19. Small businesses looking for technology assistance for online sales and teleworking will apply online beginning April 7 at noon. Grant priority will be given to applicants that have not received a COVID-19 Business Relief Grant or Loan from the Maryland Department of Commerce.
- Lodging and Accommodations COVID RELIEF Grant Program: $278,309.66. To support Carroll County hotel, lodging and accommodation businesses facing continued financial impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the county’s small number of hotels/motels and bed and breakfasts, those establishments will be contacted directly by the Tourism Office to complete an application for the grant funding.
- Maryland Recovery Now: 501(c)(3) Nonprofits: $557,247. The Maryland Recovery Now funding, through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, makes funding available for Carroll County 501(c)(3) nonprofits to help offset the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant is open to Carroll County nonprofits with a physical location in the county. Awards are based on need and priority is given to nonprofits that did not receive Nonprofit Recovery Initiative (NORI) funding administered by the DHCD in 2020. Nonprofit applications will be accepted beginning April 12 at noon and ending April 23 at 4 p.m. All applicants must be independent 501(c)(3) organizations, not under an umbrella organization.
- Restaurant and Caterers COVID RELIEF Grant Program: $612,281.26. To support Carroll County restaurants facing continued financial impacts from COVID-19. More details about the grant applications for restaurants will be announced later.
“We are thankful to the governor, the Maryland legislature and the Carroll County Board of Commissioners for providing this additional funding to help our struggling Carroll businesses and nonprofits,” Director of Economic Development Jack Lyburn said in the release.