By Danielle Nadoryk-David
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski has committed more than $10 million in grants to protect jobs and small businesses that have been devastated by severe financial pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to the $10 million in new grant funding, Olszewski said the series of economic relief efforts also include $100,000 in grants to assist professional artists, musicians and performers.
“Small businesses are a critical link of our country’s economy,” Olszewski said, “and we must do all that we can to support them in meeting their basic needs during this crisis. As we move toward economic recovery, these grants will provide a critical bridge to Baltimore County small businesses who have not received other forms of assistance.”
The Baltimore County COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grants Program, which is administered by the Department of Economic and Workforce Development and funded through the Economic Development Revolving Financing Fund, will award grants of up to $15,000 each. Olszewski said that more than 650 Baltimore County-based small businesses are eligible, but grants are dispersed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The county has set a goal to award at least 25 percent of its grant funding to minority- and women-owned businesses, he said.
Applications for small businesses and professional members of the arts community grants will be available and accepted on the DEWD website starting on May 11. To qualify for this grant program, small businesses must retain at least half of the workforce they had prior to Jan. 31. The original workforce must have included at least two non-owner employees before Gov. Larry Hogan issued Maryland’s Stay-at-Home Order. Businesses must have been in operation for at least one year as of Jan. 1.
Olszewski said that as part of his commitment to the local arts community, he is making available $100,000 to provide $1,000 stipends for up to 100 artists to help them recoup some of their financial losses due to the pandemic. Grants will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted, and priority will be given to lower income artists, making $37,500 or less per year.