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Montgomery County Government

Press Releases

For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 8, 2020

The “Reopen Montgomery Small Business Grant Program,” which was created by the Montgomery County Council with the support of County Executive Marc Elrich, is continuing to accept applications from businesses to help with reopening expenses incurred to comply with County and State health and safety reopening requirements related to the COVID 19 health crisis. The $14 million program, which was launched in July, is helping businesses with grants that could be as much as $5,000.

As cooler weather of fall is now upon the region and winter is not far behind, business establishments—such as restaurants, retailers and tutoring companies--want to continue to operate outdoors. Expenditures for outdoor tents, outdoor heating and outdoor furniture are allowable reimbursable items under the Reopen Montgomery grant program.

Applicants selected in the most recent lottery were notified by Thursday, Oct. 8, and have until Tuesday, Oct. 13, to upload their receipts and other required documentation. Applicants that have not been selected in a lottery do not have to reapply. Their applications will remain in the pool for an opportunity to be selected in an upcoming lottery.

The County’s Department of Permitting Services on Thursday, Oct. 15, will be holding an online forum for business owners regarding outdoor arrangements in cooler weather. Details on that forum are available at https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=26922.

Businesses and nonprofit organizations may be eligible for grants for expenditures they have incurred related to health and safety requirements from the State and County for reopening their business between March 16, 2020, and 30 days following the date when the County declares it is moving to Phase 3 of reopening. The County is still operating under Phase 2 reopening guidelines.

Details on the program and application information—in English and Spanish—can be found at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/biz-resources/reopen/.

Questions about the Reopen Montgomery program can be emailed to Reopen@montgomerycountymd.gov.

The program to date has received 3,288 applications, with applicants selected for review on a rolling lottery basis. At this point, 492 applications have been approved, with an average grant of $3,392. A total of $1.67 million has been approved for qualified applicants and approximately $12 million remains available for awards.

Applicants who have received grants less than the allowable maximum and who have additional eligible expenses can reapply for additional grants.

Businesses that are required to register with the State of Maryland must be in “Good Standing” with the State to be eligible for Montgomery Reopening grants. Those businesses can check their “standing” through the business entity search on Maryland Business Express at https://egov.maryland.gov/businessexpress/entitysearch.

Montgomery Reopening grants are open to Montgomery County businesses that have purchased items needed to comply with State and local requirements designed to protect the public health.

State and County executive orders required some businesses to close completely due to the health crisis and have since been allowed to reopen. Businesses that were not required to close down, or were required to partially limit business, may also be eligible for grants and are encouraged to submit applications for reimbursement.

Businesses may request a Reopen Montgomery grant to reimburse them for a variety of expenses, including the costs of personal protective equipment; materials to create barriers, dividers or protected areas; contactless payment systems; cleaning supplies; signage; outdoor furniture; disposable food containers and utensils; and upgrades to HVAC systems needed to protect the health of customers and employees. Receipts for other items may be submitted in an “Other” category, with an explanation as to why they should be considered.

If an eligible company is notified that it is eligible for a Reopen Montgomery grant, it will have five days to upload its paid receipts to be considered for reimbursement. For applicants, it is important to have receipts readily available so they can complete their applications.

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