St. Mary’s County COVID-19 Small Business and Non-Profit Relief Fund: Applications being accepted

The application process opened on June 2, 2020 and closes when 325 qualified applications have been accepted by St. Mary’s County.

Applicants are encouraged to create an account prior to June 2nd to facilitate the process at time of submission. 

• The St. Mary’s County Department of Economic Development focuses on multiple strategic areas to build a stronger, more resilient, innovation-driven economy in St. Mary’s County, Maryland.  This department will evaluate proposals. 
  • St. Mary’s County COVID-19 Small Business and Non-Profit Relief Fund ApplicationSt. Mary’s County recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an economic hardship for many small businesses and non-profit agencies. To provide local relief from this hardship, St. Mary’s County has established a COVID-19 Small Business and Non-Profit Relief Fund to support businesses and agencies during this time.   Grants will be provided to support certain small businesses and non-profit agencies countywide that have realized a significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.  A business or non-profit with 15 or less employees is eligible for a grant of $5,000 and a business or non-profit with 16 to 30 employees is eligible for a grant of $7,500 (grant amount not to exceed average two months of revenue).Grants may be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business incurred between March 15, 2020 and September 15, 2020. In order to qualify for this grant, the business or non-profit must:
    •  Have experienced at least a 30% reduction in revenue due to a closure or limited operations as a result of COVID19; non-profit must have experienced at least a 30% reduction in excess revenues over expenses as a result of COVID-19
    • Have 30 or less Full Time Equivalent Employees
    • Have annual revenues under $3 million
    • Have been in operation continuously since February 1, 2018
    • Be current on all County tax liabilities (paid in full)
    • Have no outstanding/open code enforcement issues
    • Be in good standing with the State of Maryland
    • Be based in St. Mary’s County
    Required Documents*Applications must include the documents described below:1.           Documentation reflecting at least a 30% loss of revenue due to Covid-19 beginning on or around March 15, 2020 through May 30, 2020:•            Monthly Profit and Loss statements showing a drop-in revenues; (or excess revenue over expenses for non-profits) (profit and loss statements from March 15, 2020-May 30, 2020 compared to profit and loss statements from March 15, 2019 -May 30, 2020 or compared to profit and loss statements from January 1, 2020-March 14, 2020); OR•            Other verifiable method to prove the loss.2.           Full year Profit and Loss Statements (2018 is acceptable if 2019 is not available) that shows less than $2 million in revenues.3.           Copy of last 2 years of business tax returns filed (first two pages only) or for non-profits a copy of last 2 years of I-990 (2017 and 2018 are acceptable).4.           Copy of most recent Form 941 – Quarterly Federal Tax Return Part 1 (showing # of employees); Copy of most recent Form Schedule C for Sole Proprietorship5.           Completed and signed W-9 (version dated October 2018) Link to fillable W-96.           Signed Grant Agreement (Available for download during application submission process. Signed agreement does not guarantee funding.)7.           Certificate of Good Standing from the State of Maryland.                Visit https://dat.maryland.gov/businesses/Pages/Internet-Certificate-of-Status.aspx to view status.              Proof of Good Standing may be provided via screenshot or printed from the webpage.8.           Completed St. Mary’s County Direct Deposit Form. (Available for download during application submission process.)*Include any other documentation not listed that may affect your eligibility for the program.FAQsIf you have questions about the grant program, please email Kellie.Hinkle@StMarysMD.com or call 240-925-7178

https://www.yesstmarysmd.com/grants/