County Resources
- The Relief Program Eligibility Wizard is an online tool developed by the Howard County Chamber of Commerce, the Howard County Economic Development Authority, and industry partners, business leaders, and statewide organizations. It provides an updated one-stop destination for businesses as they seek to navigate the myriad of financial relief programs. Visit https://www.reliefwizard.net/
- The Howard County Economic Development Authority (EDA) provides various resources and has staff businesses can call for support, see the EDA’s COVID-19 page.
- The Howard County Arts Council has established the Howard County Artist Relief Fund to assist individual artists whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Visit https://www.hocoarts.org/explore/opportunities-artists-arts-groups/grants/howard-county-artist-relief-fund-covid-19/ for more information.
- Contact your local bank to ask about any resources they have available to help your business.
State Resources
- The State of Maryland has resources available to support businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.
- Visit https://govstatus.egov.com/md-coronavirus-business to see the latest updates & information, business-related resources, and financial assistance available.
- Visit https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/business-resources to see the latest guidance for businesses and employers from the Department of Health.
- Additional state and federal resources for Maryland businesses and consumers can be found at https://www.dllr.state.md.us/finance/consumers/frresourcescovid.shtml
- To read Governor Hogan’s ‘Roadmap to Recovery’ plan, visit https://governor.maryland.gov/recovery/
- To see the the Hogan Administration’s COVID-19 A-Z Resource Guide, visit https://governor.maryland.gov/marylandunites/
- The State of Maryland has developed a website to provide information and resources for opening a business in Maryland. https://open.maryland.gov/
- If you are a business owner in the state of Maryland Business Owners and have questions about taxes and the COVID-19 crisis, visit https://www.marylandtaxes.gov/business/index.php. If you need to request a refund of business-related taxes paid in March or have extension-related questions, email [email protected] or call the Comptroller’s Ombudsman office at 410-260-4020.
- The Maryland Small Business Development Center has a COVID-19 Assistance Center with links to various resources aimed at assisting small businesses. https://www.marylandsbdc.org/covid-19-assistance
Federal Government and Commercial Resources
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has various resources available to employers specifically aimed to lessen the economic disruption and impact of COVID-19.
- On June 17, 2020, the SBA posted a revised, borrower-friendly Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application implementing the PPP Flexibility Act of 2020. In addition to revising the full forgiveness application, SBA also published a new EZ version of the forgiveness application that applies to borrowers that meet certain criteria. To learn more and to see if you qualify for this program, click here.
- For Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources available through the SBA, visit https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
- For information about the Paycheck Protection Program, visit https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program
- For additional SBA loan and debt relief resources available related to the COVID-19 crisis, visit https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has numerous resources and guides available to help businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.
- For resources and guides available to businesses impacted by COVID-19, visit https://www.uschamber.com/coronavirus
- For information and resources about reopening businesses safely for both employees and customers, visit https://www.uschamber.com/reopening-business
- For COVID-19 information specifically geared for small businesses, visit https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/small-business-resources-for-surviving-coronavirus
- Employers subject to the paid leave requirements are entitled to fully refundable tax credits to cover the cost of the leave required to be paid for these periods of time during which employees are unable to work. Certain self-employed persons in similar circumstances are entitled to similar credits. The IRS offers guidance on these tax credits, visit FAQs on COVID-19-Related Tax Credits for Required Paid Leave Provided by Small and Midsize Businesses.
- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has information on keeping employees safe and specific guidance for certain workers. Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html
- For all funding opportunities available through the federal government, including those specifically related to the COVID-19 crisis, go to https://www.usa.gov/funding-options
Non-Profit Supports
- Association of Community Services has information and resources specifically aimed for non-profits during COVID-19. Visit https://www.acshoco.org/covid-19-advisory/
- The Maryland Philanthropy Network has numerous resources for grantmakers, small businesses, and non-profits. Visit https://www.marylandphilanthropy.org/covid-19-outbreak-resources
- HoCoRespond.com: Apply for funds from this local philanthropic effort at its website. HoCoRespond is focusing on assisting with food security, housing, childcare and healthcare and on communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
- During the coronavirus pandemic, Foundation Center and its parent company Candid have generously provided temporary at-home access to Foundation Directory Online. Library customers can search for information on funders and grants for organizations by going here, clicking on the Grant Application Research header, and using their barcode and PIN to sign into Foundation Directory Online.
Unemployment Insurance Information through the Maryland Department of Labor
- If you are an employer in the state of Maryland and have questions about Unemployment Insurance or Unemployment Insurance Contributions, go to http://www.labor.maryland.gov/employment/uitax.shtml
- For questions and information specifically regarding COVID-19 and Unemployment Insurance, http://www.labor.maryland.gov/employment/uicovidfaqs.shtml
- For questions, customers are encouraged to email [email protected] for a timely response, or call 410-767-2412.
Small Business Resources: Businesses of all sizes and types are the backbone of our community. HCLS is proud to provide access to essential tools for local businesses and entrepreneurs. Details.
Email [email protected] with corrections/additions. For assistance, call 410-313-7750.
