Montgomery County businesses and non-profit organizations may apply for grants to cover expenses related to implementing a telework policy to keep employees safe amid the COVID-19 health crisis.
The Montgomery County Council last week approved a special appropriation of $250,000 to provide grants to businesses and non-profit organizations for eligible teleworking equipment and software purchased in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each eligible business and non-profit may be awarded a grant up to $2,500 telework-related expenses. Grants will be based on actual expenditures for each business and non-profit organizations. The Telework Assistance Program will be administered by the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC).
According to MCEDC:
Applications will open on May 6 at 10:00 a.m. To be fair and equitable, the telework grants will be awarded to eligible applicants using a lottery system each week. The MCEDC will award grants on a lottery system (versus a first-come, first-serve system) so as not to disadvantage applicants who may need time to locate receipts, pull their materials together and submit an application.
ELIGIBILITY
A business or non-profit organization is eligible to apply if it meets the following criteria:
Has its physical location(s) only in the County; or its County-based locations account for more than 50% of its total number of employees or 50% of its gross sales
Employs 100 or less full-time-equivalent employees
Has not, as of the time of application, received financial assistance from the State or County for teleworking expenses related to the COVID-19 health crisis
Has incurred expenditures between March 1 and June 1, 2020 specifically to implement a teleworking policy (e.g., computers, cameras, software, etc.)
Please see the attached FAQs for more detailed information on the process. Spanish version coming soon.
Telework Assistance Fund Application (coming May 6 at 10am)
Visit the MCEDC website for more information.
