Baltimore County today established a $3 million grant fund to reimburse service industry businesses that have had to install hand washing stations, glass barriers and other fixtures and equipment to safely reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials announced today.
The county is offering individual grants of up to $10,000 to reimburse businesses that had to buy new equipment or make improvements to their indoor spaces to protect the safety of customers and employees.
Examples include Plexiglass barriers, carryout windows, hand washing stations, cleaning and disinfecting services, outdoor tents and new signage.
“Baltimore County’s service industry is a critical link of our local economy and we must do whatever we can to be a strong partner in their recovery,” Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. said in a statement. “These establishments have had to quickly adapt to new ways of doing business and we’re proud to offer these new funds to help support their efforts to keep visitors and employees safe.”
Applications will be posted online starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Only for-profit businesses are eligible. Other criteria include having between two to 25 employees (business with more than 25 part-time employees are allowed), being in good standing with the state, being in operation as of Jan. 1 of this year, and not defaulting on loans or taxes with the county.
In April, the county created a $10 million small business emergency relief fund, offering $15,000 grants to small “mom and pop businesses” that had not received federal relief through the federal Paycheck Protection Program or Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs.
Olszewski also directed the county’s tourism office to provide $1,000 stipends to up to 100 artists who have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Priority was given to artists making $37,500 or less per year.
Following an outpouring of interest, the county eventually doubled the fund to $200,000.
