The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County this month approved relief fund for businesses and nonprofits affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program, which will provide up to $2 million in relief, is designed to support businesses and nonprofits with 30 or fewer employees whose revenues have declined by at least 50 percent.
Grants may be used as working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business. Each eligible entity may be awarded up to $7,500.
According to a County press release:
St. Mary’s County recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused economic hardship for many small businesses and nonprofit agencies. To provide local relief from this hardship, St. Mary’s County has established the COVID-19 Small Business and Nonprofit Relief Fund to support businesses and agencies during this time.
Entities with 15 or less employees are eligible for grants of $5,000 and entities with 16 to 30 employees are eligible for grants of $7,500 (grant amount not to exceed yearly average of two months revenue).
Eligible businesses and nonprofits can submit an online application starting at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
Applicants are encouraged to visit the grant portal at any time before June 2 for more information on required documents, applicant eligibility, a sample application and to create a user account before submission of the application.
The application portal will be open until 325 qualified applications have been received.
