Montgomery County Public Libraries

MCPL is Here to Help with: Business and Workforce Debt Relief

COVID-19 is creating hardships and challenges for many in our community, including businesses. We understand that continuing business operations under the current circumstances is challenging. To help, we’re sharing current information on resources available to local businesses during this time of need.

  • Montgomery County Public Health Emergency Grant (PHEG) program  
    The Montgomery County Executive and County Council together have set aside $20 million in funding to support small businesses and nonprofits who are struggling to survive the economic impact of COVID-19.  The Office of the County Executive is developing the systems and regulations needed to implement the program as quickly as possible.  Information on how to prepare to submit a grant application is available on the PHEG program web page: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/biz-resources/pheg. If you would like to be notified when the application for the PHEG program is available, please email peter.fosselman@montgomerycountymd.gov and include PHEG in the subject line. 
  • The Office of the County Executive’s COVID-19 Resources for Business page contains information on local, state and federal resources for businesses including information on the SBA Coronavirus Relief Programs. 
  • Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing and can be a term loans or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan. 
  • SBA Debt Relief provides a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • Daily Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Application Help - 10:30am and 8:00pm.  On ZOOM.  A Small Business Administration (SBA) agent will walk you through how to fill out the EIDL form.  Have all your necessary documents ready.  Download the ZOOM app.  FREE. Meeting # 6794772946 
  • Daily Small Business Administration Conference Call – All businesses are welcome to join this daily call.  Updates are provided and participants can ask questions. 3:00pm, Call – 202-765-1264, Conf Call ID# 827-299-626 
  • Governor Hogan announced new COVID-19 business relief programs on March 23. Information on these resources can be found on the Maryland Department of Commerce page. 
  • Emergency Vendor Database Form – State of MD – If you are a designated representative of a business that would like to offer the state of Maryland goods or services on a contract or lease basis in connection with the ongoing COVID-19 response, fill out this form. 
  • Maryland State Arts Council – Emergency Grant – In response to the COVID-19 State of Emergency, the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) has created special grant opportunities that provide emergency funding to arts organizations and artists as they adjust to losses sustained because of programming, operations, and events that have been modified or cancelled. Full guidelines are available here. 
  • Due to unprecedented volumes of claims, the Department of Labor has updated the process for applying for benefits. Please visit Labor’s Unemployment homepage for additional details. 
  • Calling Local Manufacturing Companies!  Montgomery County is interested in sourcing medical supplies and equipment from local manufacturers to help first responders, hospitals, and healthcare workers. If your company can create PPE and medical supplies, please email Sarah Miller and include as much information as possible about the type of product you want to produce.  
  • Restaurant Employee Relief Fund    The National Restaurant Association Education Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the National Restaurant Association has launched a Relief Fund to Give $500 Checks to Restaurant Workers Affected by Coronavirus. Starting Thursday, April 2, restaurant workers can apply for a grant to receive a one-time $500 check within three weeks to use toward housing, medical bills, student loans, groceries, and other expenses. The NRAEF stipulated that these grants would be administered on a “first-come, first-serve basis.”  
  • New Media Ventures , a 10-year-old investment fund based in San Francisco, announced that it is creating a $1-2 million Crisis Innovation Fund in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  The company is especially eager to hear from startups that are shifting power, building movements, changing narratives, and sparking civic engagement in the face of the current COVID-19 crisis.  Learn more and apply Here 
  • Former Y Combinator head Sam Altman has established a fund to speed the creation of technology and medical innovations to fight the COVID outbreak. He is interested in funding startups working on: Producing a lot of ventilators or masks/gowns very quickly; Screening existing drugs for effectiveness; Novel approaches to vaccines; Novel therapeutics that the big pharma companies are unlikely to work on. Learn More 

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