Statement
Statement from County Executive Marc Elrich and Council President Sidney Katz Regarding the Passage of $26 Million in COVID-19 Relief Funding for Businesses, Nonprofits and Individuals
For Immediate Release: Tuesday 31 March
County Executive Marc Elrich and Council President Sidney Katz released the following statement after the Council approved the appropriation of $26 million in COVID-19 relief funding for the Public Health Emergency Grant Program on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
“Today Montgomery County took a major step forward, as the result of collaborative efforts between the County Executive and the County Council, to provide $26 million from the County’s reserves to assist small businesses, nonprofits, and community members who are struggling to survive the economic impact of COVID-19. We came together and used our reserves for what it is was designed for, getting through difficult times. We freed-up much needed funding that will allow us to invest in the people and organizations that are vital to the future of our county. These are extraordinary times that require extraordinary measures, and today we took an extraordinary step to provide additional support to as many businesses and individuals as possible. It is in the County’s best interest to proactively address the impact of this virus on our communities. When the spread of this virus slows down, we want to see businesses and nonprofit organizations functioning like they were before the crisis. The $26 million that we appropriated, along with the funding provided at the federal and state levels, will help people, businesses and organizations make it through the impact of this crushing virus. Today we made it clear that the leadership of Montgomery County has the foresight to invest now so that we are in a better place after we overcome this crisis. As long as we remain vigilant and stand together, there is no doubt that we will prevail.”
For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit the County’s COVID-19 website and follow Montgomery County on Facebook and Twitter.
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Release ID: 20-007