Baltimore County small business grant expanded due to COVID-19

by Madeleine Mosher
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer

County Executive Johnny Olszewski said Baltimore County has expanded a small business grant to offer increased funds to business associations wracked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Commercial Revitalization Action Grant typically offers business associations across the county up to $10,000 annually for use in things like beautification, website development and security cameras. This year, however, Olszewski said the county has upped that to $30,000. Only business associations and chambers of commerce in Baltimore County’s Commercial Revitalization Districts are eligible to apply for the grant.

“Main streets are the bedrock of our communities and we’re proud to do even more to help our small, independent businesses offer safe, secure, and festive shopping and entertainment experiences,” Olszewski said in a press release on Thursday. “We are pleased to provide increased support for our invaluable small businesses as we continue building a better Baltimore County together.”

Lynn Richardson, president of the Perry Hall White Marsh Business Association, said she didn’t know about the grant until Thursday, when she had nearly completed PHWMBA’s application for the $10,000 grant. The association had planned to use it for flower baskets, banners and website development.

However, Richardson said, she doesn’t expect the grant to change much for PHWMBA.

Since the grant application is due Oct. 30, she said she doesn’t think the association will have time to complete the planning needed to use the money for a bigger project. Nonetheless, she said she expects other organizations will find good use for the funds.

Pikesville-Owings Mills Regional Chamber of Commerce is one such organization.

Chamber President Beth Rheingold said that chambers of commerce aren’t eligible for federal funds. This means the Pikesville-Owings Mills Chamber hasn’t received aid from the federal government during the pandemic. However, it is eligible for the Revitalization Action Grant.

“As a chamber president,” Rheingold said, “eight months into my first year handling a pandemic, getting this news is a complete and total game changer for chambers of commerce.”

Rheingold said the chamber is considering using the funds to pay chamber staff, create new branding for Pikesville’s business community, develop community events and support the Pikesville Farmers Market.

The farmers market has been open since early June and supplies the community with fresh produce and vendors with consistent business, Rheingold said.

During the COVID-19 crisis, the market requires more funds for signage that reminds people to take precautions and for additional staff to control crowds. The grant, Rheingold said, could provide the market with the funds it needs to continue.

Rebranding the Pikesville business community may bring more business to struggling restaurants, wedding photographers and event planners. She explained that when a shopping area looks good, people are more likely to visit it.

Reacting to the grant announcement, Rheingold said, “My enthusiasm is like through the roof.”