Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner today announced a new grant program for hotels and bed-and-breakfasts struggling amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hospitality and Lodging Grant Program, which will be administered by the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, is the latest in a long series of grants offered by the County to support businesses during the public health crisis.
Combined, these grants have invested nearly $10 million into the local economy since June 2020. “The hospitality industry has been particularly hard hit during the health pandemic, with fewer people traveling,” said County Executive Gardner. “This new initiative will offer some support to an important part of Frederick County’s economy.”
According to a County press release:
A total of $833,200 will be awarded through the Hospitality and Lodging Grant Program. Grant sizes will vary, based on the number of applications received. Awards will be capped on a per-room basis. To be eligible, Frederick County hotel with 10 or more rentable rooms, and bed-and-breakfasts with at least five rentable rooms. Eligible businesses must in current in their payment of hotel taxes and be in good standing with the State of Maryland and Frederick County, and must have experienced a reduction in gross revenues of at least 25% between April-November 2020 compared to gross revenues from April-November 2019.
To apply for a grant, visit http://FrederickCountyMD.gov/HospitalityGrants. Applications will be accepted until 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11. Anyone with questions can contact the Office of Economic Development at OED@FrederickCountyMD.gov.
County Executive Gardner last week announced that $1.2 million in Food Service Grants were awarded to 246 businesses in the second round of funding for that program. A total of 191 restaurants and craft beverage makers each received payments of $6,253.73 in Round 2. 55 grants were awarded to commercial bakeries and caterers, food trucks, and carry-out restaurants.
