Caroline County Awards First COVID-19 Small Business/ Emergency Relief Grants

On June 1, 2020 the County Commissioners and Economic Development announced $2.2 M in federal grant funding available for small businesses with disrupted operations due to COVID-19.  In the first round, 75 applications were received, resulting in over $640,000.00 in grants awarded. The second round of grant applications is underway now. 

“It was very important to the Commissioners and Economic Development to provide support to small businesses in Caroline County after the COVID-19 response,” said Debbie Bowden, Director of Economic Development. “Our team works toward a mission of helping those businesses that need support to protect them from further economic injury.”

Caroline County Commissioners President Larry Porter, speaking on behalf of the Commissioners said, “I am pleased to see the positive effect that the first round of grants had on our community. The expediency of the application process allowed the business to quickly get funds to aid in their recovery. The second round of funding is going on now, and we’re helping even more businesses be on the mend.”

Caroline County has a variety of businesses that have been impacted in some way by COVID19.  These grants are intended to provide interim relief complementing actions with bank, business interruption insurance and financial partners.  Lee Coulby, owner of Terrapin Security, a fully licensed and insured security system agency says, “I have been amazed by the support of the Economic Development team. The commitment they showed to helping my business was above and beyond all of my expectations.”

Grants awarded can be up to $20,000 and used to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expense, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of operations. The grants are is intended to fill the gaps for those who did not qualify for federal assistance. Janice Clere from What’s New Shop said, “I feel so blessed and am so appreciative. I have been in business for 38 years and I just feel so blessed to have this help.” Per Federal guidelines, if your business has received any Federal COVID-19 assistance you are not eligible for these grants.

Additional grant information is available at www.carolinebusiness.com   Round two of applications is open until 4:30 p.m. on July 13, 2020.