Recent News & Blog / MD Restaurant Relief Grant Program and remaining CARES Act Funding
November 4, 2020
November 3, 2020
Maryland is launching a new $50 million grant program to provide direct relief to restaurants across the State. These grants can be used for:
- working capital, such as rent, payroll, and job training
- purchase of equipment and services to expand outdoor dining, 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
- and any other costs that are permitted under a COVID-19 restaurant assistance program that your jurisdiction may already be operating.
These funds will be allocated to local jurisdictions in the form of a grant from the state and must be disbursed to businesses by no later than December 31, 2020. The state will provide clear guidelines that jurisdictions must follow to disburse the funds. Additionally, the $50 million in funds will be distributed proportionally based on the number of restaurant establishments located in each jurisdiction. Based on current data, Washington County’s share of the $50 million is expected to be $1,352,231.
Additionally, the Department of Business Development has approximately $800,000 left in CARES Act Rise Up Business Stabilization fund. They would like to disburse the remaining amount evenly to previously awarded businesses, which is approximately $1,057 per business.
Washington County Department of Business Development will be utilizing the previous Rise Up Grant guidelines as a basis for the new Restaurant Relief Grant Program. A new application must be filled out and submitted for review and approval by each restaurant, although the required accompanying documentation has been simplified. If a restaurant has applied to the Rise Up Grant and received an award, they are entitled to apply for this as well. With a maximum of $20,000 for each grant, on a first come, first serve basis, their hope is to assist the restaurant community in Washington County as swiftly as possible. The deadline for applications will be December 18, 2020.