To assist Worcester County businesses, WCED has created this resource page that includes information and links to financial assistance and clarification about what qualifies as a non-essential business. We will continue to update this page as more information becomes available, so check this page often and follow us on Facebook.
If you have any questions, call our office at 410-632-3112
COVID-19 Relief Programs
As of Monday, December 21st 2020, Worcester County Economic Development is working closely with the State of Maryland to obtain more information regarding the recently announced COVID-19 Relief Programs that we will be distributing. Please check back to this page frequently for updates for the relief programs and the application process for your business. We are here to help!
Upcoming Programs:
Restaurant Relief Program
Hotel & Hospitality Relief Program
More information from the State of Maryland:
Governor Larry Hogan - Official Website for the Governor of Maryland
Best Practices - Follow these best practices for general businesses and your specific industry.
Entertainment and Recreational Attractions
Gyms, Martial Arts, Dance Studios
Restaurants and Bars / Executive Order / Signage Template / Food Safety FAQs
Guidance for the Restaurant Industry – American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) has developed guidelines for restaurants as they prepare to reopen. Get additional resources at AIHA’s Coronavirus Outbreak Resource Center Coronavirus Outbreak Resource Center.
Recreation, Youth Programs, and Sporting Events Directives - For additional questions, please refer to this FAQ on outdoor youth camps, sports programs, and other youth programs
Latest Amended Directive and Order Regarding Youth Camp Programs from the Maryland Department of Health
Latest Amended Directive and Order Regarding Community, Recreational, Leisure, Cultural, and Sporting Gathering and Events from the Maryland Department of Health
Latest directive and order regarding swimming pools from the Maryland Department of Health
Guidance and best practices for Religious Services.
Resources from the Maryland Department of Health – Signage for Buildings
Workplace Poster! (OSHA3994 - 10 steps) Ten Steps All Workplaces Can Take to Reduce Risk of Exposure to Coronavirus – Attached is a helpful poster from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
New Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Reopening guidance for cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and homes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also produced useful signs in multiple languages to help you establish and enforce standards for protection. All materials are free for download.
Financial Assistance for Businesses
See below for information on the CARES Act, its Paycheck Protection Program, available loans and other pertinent information for you and your business. We hope these documents help to illuminate the resources available to provide some support.
Wondering which programs your business can apply for? There are several relief programs designed to help combat the negative effects from COVID-19. The Relief Wizard is an easy to use tool to navigate these programs. If you answer the questions, the relief wizard will point you to the programs you are eligible for, based on your answers. https://reliefwizard.net/
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act
For more information on the CARES Act and how it pertains to you, check out the resources below:
Small Business Owners Guide to the Cares Act
Emergency Loans: Small Business Guide and Checklist
Employer Paid Leave Obligations: Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Paycheck Protection Program
As part of the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program provides loans to eligible businesses, a portion of which may be forgiven if employers meet certain requirements.
Banks will start accepting loan applications April 3rd. See the documents linked below for more details.
Paycheck Protection Program Overview
Paycheck Protection Program Fact Sheet
If you are considering applying for this loan, we strongly recommend that you reach out to your bank, read the information in the documents provided and start gathering the necessary information.
SBA Economic Injury Loan Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will provide low-interest loans to companies affected by the outbreak, with President Trump asking Congress to increase funding for the SBA lending program to $50 billion. The SBA has declared the State of Maryland an Economic Disaster Area for all 24 counties and is providing disaster loan assistance. Maryland businesses should use disaster incident number “MD-00041”.
The U.S. Small Business Administration released the Payroll Protection Program Loan forgiveness form and instructions.
- Updated information from the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Treasury on the Payroll Protection Plan as of May 22, 2020:
Interim Final Rule on Loan Forgiveness
Interim Final Rule on Loan Review Procedures and Related Borrower Responsibilities - If you applied but haven’t received funding, you may find this chart helpful.
General Disaster Assistance Information
Apply for an Economic Disaster Loan
The U.S. Chamber
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has launched the Save the Business Grant Fund to provide supplemental grants to small employers.
Save Small Business Grant Fund
NOTE:On April 24, the fourth federal package was signed into law to provide relief to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. $310 billion is set to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program, as well as $50 billion for the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and $10 billion for EIDL grants.
*Applicants, who have not already done so should complete the next step in the process - to create an account with Maryland OneStop. Take a moment to sign up for a OneStop account. They should make sure to use the same email address that was used in their original application. Their application will be linked up to their account and they will be notified. Once in the OneStop, applicants will be able to see the status of their application in their dashboard and receive updates
Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Manufacturing Fund
This $5 million incentive program helps Maryland manufacturers to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) that is urgently needed by hospitals and healthcare workers across the country. More information coming by Friday, March 27, 2020.
The Maryland State Arts Council has created special grant opportunities that provide emergency funding to arts organizations and artists in Maryland. Learn More
Additional links for businesses
Maryland COVID Info for Business: https://govstatus.egov.com/md-coronavirus-business
Maryland Department of Commerce: https://commerce.maryland.gov/fund/maryland-small-business-covid-19-emergency-relief-fund-programs
Maryland Workforce Exchange: https://mwejobs.maryland.gov
U.S. Department of Agriculture: https://www.usda.gov/coronavirus | https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/USDA_COVID-19_Fed_Rural_Resource_Guide.pdf
Maryland Department of Agriculture: https://news.maryland.gov/mda/category/covid-19/
MARBIDCO: http://marbidco.org/_pages/programs_loans/loan_programs_palpf_1.htm
American Farm Land Trust Farmer Relief Fund: https://farmland.org/farmer-relief-fund/
Maryland Department of Natural Resources: https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Pages/default.aspx
Existing Maryland Financing Programs: https://commerce.maryland.gov/fund
Maryland Unemployment Office: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/uibenefits.shtml
Federal Guidelines for Critical Infrastructure: https://www.cisa.gov/publication/guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workforce
Executive Orders and Interpretive Guidance from The Office of Governor Larry Hogan: https://governor.maryland.gov/covid-19-pandemic-orders-and-guidance/