COVID-19 made life hard for many small businesses in Maryland. The maryland small business covid-19 emergency relief grant fund gave help. This program came from the Maryland Department of Commerce. It gave money to cover costs when sales fell and work stopped.
How COVID-19 Hurt Businesses in Maryland
In 2020, COVID-19 shut down shops and kept people home. Small businesses with less than 50 workers lost a lot of money. More than 40% saw half their sales go away early on. Groups like nonprofits also had less help from donors.
The state acted fast. The governor set up funds worth over $130 million. This grant was for quick help, not long loans. Firms used it to keep going until they found more money, like from the SBA.
For example, a food place in Baltimore had no people eating in. The grant paid rent and worker pay. This let them stay open. State numbers show thousands asked for help, as many needed it.
Who Could Get the Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund
The program picked who could get money to make sure it went to those who needed it most. Here is who fit:
- Small businesses that make money and nonprofits: Shops, helpers, and community groups.
- Number of workers: 50 or less, full-time or part-time.
- Money made each year: Less than $5 million, shown by papers or forms.
- When started: Before March 9, 2020.
- Follow rules: Signed up right with the state.
- Worker pay: If not just one person, must have workers with taxes taken out.
One-person shops without workers had to show real work. The fund checked each case.
To show you fit, send papers like tax forms, money reports, and proof of hard times. This could be notes on late goods or bank papers with less money.
Bolded related keywords: Maryland COVID-19 business grant, Maryland small business relief, Maryland emergency business funding.
What the Grant Paid For: Uses and How Much
The grant gave easy help. It was not for new things but to stay open. Each got up to $10,000. This let money go to many.
What it covered:
- Worker pay: Keep people on the job.
- Rent or home loan: Stop losing your place.
- Bills like power: Pay for lights, water, and web.
- Other work costs: Goods or safety, if from COVID.
The money matched three months of needs, from early 2020 info. Show hard times with less sales, more costs, or stopped work1.
For example, a helper group in Montgomery County switched to online. Funds bought tools and taught workers. It filled the gap until more help came.
Unlike loans, this was free – no pay back. It worked with things like the Maryland economic relief fund or SBA.
How to Apply and When
Applying was simple but had a time limit. It started in March 2020 and ended by December 2020. Use the Maryland OneStop site online.
Steps:
- Get papers: Tax forms, money info, and hard time proof.
- Fill out: Tell about your group, workers, and needs.
- Send proof: Put up files for money under $5 million and start date.
- Sign: Promise it’s true.
No cost. It took 1-2 hours. Money went to first who asked, with extra to clear waits.
If no, try again or other help like COVID-19 relief grants Maryland. Ask early to meet times.
Bolded: Small business financial aid Maryland, Maryland business support program.
Hard Parts and Good Stories
Not all got yes. Often missed papers or too much money made. One-person shops had trouble without worker forms.
But many won. A tech place in Laurel kept 20 jobs with $8,000 for bills. Helpers gave community aid. State says over 5,000 got grants.
Learn: Keep all papers. Ask local groups for tips. This helps for next hard times.
For now, look at like BGE grants. They give up to $20,000 for power costs.
How It Compared to Other Help
This grant was different from loans. No pay back or extra costs. But it was short. After, look for SBA or bank money.
How different:
- Grant vs. Loan: Grant free; loan pay back.
- State vs. Country: Maryland for local; SBA for all.
- How much: Up to $10k here; SBA more.
Related: MD COVID-19 grant program, Maryland state business assistance.
Learn more on money from Startup Funding Options for First-Time Entrepreneurs or How to Find Investors for a Startup with No Money.
Tips for New Applications
Even if closed, tips help for new grants. Pandemic business support changes, with money for getting better2.
Tips:
- Watch money: Use apps like QuickBooks for clear notes.
- Make friends: Join groups for news on emergency financial assistance.
- Show hurt: Get info on losses for good asks.
- Mix help: Use grants and loans together.
For growing cheap, see How to Scale an Online Store with Low Budget.
Bolded LSI: State-funded small business grants, COVID-19 revenue loss assistance.
Papers Needed and Wrong Steps
Papers were big. Miss one, no grant.
Must have:
- Tax forms from 2018-2019.
- Money in/out reports.
- Rule follow proof.
- Hurt proof like sales notes.
Skip wrongs like half forms or big asks. Check twice.
For plans, read How to Write a Business Plan.
Maryland Department of Commerce Job
The department ran it. They took asks and gave money. Email commerce.covid19@Maryland.gov for old info.
They push Maryland Department of Commerce funding for now help. Like making things or sell out of state.
Related: Business continuity grant, Operational expenses relief.
Nonprofits and Extra Care
Nonprofits got same rules. Groups like 501(c)(3) got money for work. Up to $10k for workers and bills.
Special for some groups like trade ones. This covered more.
For good change, check Best Business Models for Social Entrepreneurs.
Long Help for Maryland Money
After 2020, Maryland got better. Grants helped. Money grew 5% by 2023.
Groups learned to be strong. Make more ways for money, save some. For 2025, use web tools.
See How Social Media Has Impacted Marketing for Small Business.
Bolded long-tail: Eligibility requirements for Maryland COVID-19 business relief grants, Maryland emergency grant program for small businesses under 50 employees.
How to Handle Money After Help
After grants, watch cash. See what comes in and goes out. Use apps to guess ahead.
Steps:
- Plan each month: Set for musts.
- Save for bad: 3-6 months costs.
- Pay owes: High cost first.
Help: How to Manage Cash Flow in a Small Business.
Other Money in 2025
Though done, more out there. SBA bad time loans, state gifts.
Top ones:
- BGE power grants: Up to $20k for bills3.
- County help: Like Montgomery.
- Old fed money: For still hurt.
For new: How to Build a Startup with No Money.
Bolded: Maryland disaster relief grant, Payroll support funding.
FAQs
What was the maryland small business covid-19 emergency relief grant fund?
It was a state program to give money to small businesses hurt by COVID.
The grant helped pay for things like rent and worker pay.
Who could apply for this grant?
Small businesses and nonprofits with 50 or less workers could apply.
They needed to start before March 2020 and make less than $5 million a year.
How much money did the grant give?
It gave up to $10,000 per group.
This covered up to three months of basic costs.
Is the grant still open today?
No, it ended in 2020.
But look for new state or county help for similar needs.
Conclusion
The maryland small business covid-19 emergency relief grant fund helped many small businesses and nonprofits in Maryland during COVID. It gave money for costs to keep them going. Though over, it shows how grants can aid in hard times.
What hard times did your business see in COVID, and how can new grants help now?
References
- Maryland OneStop: Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund – Official eligibility, uses, and application details for the state program. ↩︎
- City of Laurel Available COVID-19 Business Resources – Overview of state and local programs, including grant and loan options. ↩︎
- Montgomery County Public Health Emergency Grant Application Sample – Details on local eligibility and application forms for similar relief. ↩︎
