The goal of this page is to provide you with links to several resources to help you navigate Covid-19. We will add new information and links as we are made aware of them. If you have any questions with any of the content or suggestions for additional content please contact us at Bill@dorchesterchamber.org.
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Dorchester County Restaurant Grant Relief Program opened 4-26-21
Funds to support Dorchester County restaurants that have experienced a COVID-19 disruption. Printable applications will be available on the Economic Development Website or in paper form at the Dorchester County Council’s Office, County Office Building, 501 Court Lane, Room 108, Cambridge, Maryland 21613. Applications must be dropped off in person at the County Council Office, Room 108 during the hours of 8:30AM.-4:00PM. NO EMAIL APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 7, 2021.
Click here for more details.
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Registration for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) is now open for application. We encourage you to register as soon as you can. Here is announcement from SBA with links:
Registration for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) is now open at restaurants.sba.gov. If you are working with Square or Toast, you do not need to register.
SBA will begin accepting applications via the application portal on Monday, May 3 at 12 p.m. EDT. The application portal will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted.
In preparation, qualifying applicants should familiarize themselves with the application process in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient application. In addition to registering at the portal, follow the steps below. If you are working with Square or Toast, you do not need to register.
- Review the sample application, program guide and cross-program eligibility chart on SBA COVID-19 relief options. SBA also added screenshots of the application portal that are available here.
- Applications must be submitted in English or Spanish. SBA has documents in additional languages to help you understand eligibility requirements, fill out applications, and answer frequently asked questions. See the additional languages and materials here.
- If you were unable to attend one of the webinars held earlier this week which covered program details and a demonstration of the application portal, you can watch the recording here.
For more information, visit sba.gov/restaurants.
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Small Business COVID-19 RELIEF Grant Program
To support Maryland’s small businesses facing continued financial impacts from the novel coronavirus, the state established through bipartisan legislation the new Maryland Small Business COVID-19 RELIEF Grant Program in 2021 with $10 million in state RELIEF Act funding.
The grant offers working capital to assist certain Maryland small businesses with disrupted operations due to COVID-19. Grant assistance is intended to provide interim relief complementing actions with its bank, business interruption insurance, and financial partners.
The application portal reopened at 5 p.m. on April 30, 2021 and will close again at 11:59 p.m. on May 15, 2021.
New applicants can access the application portal here.
PLEASE NOTE: They will NOT be considering new applications from businesses in Howard, Montgomery, Washington, or Wicomico Counties at this time because those four counties are fully subscribed and their portion of the grant funding has been exhausted. Geographic diversity among grant recipients is required by the RELIEF Act of 2021.
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Click here to review current Executive Orders for the State of Maryland from Governor Hogan.
For more information about the disease and to stay current on issues around the US and other Countries the Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers a lot of good information.
Here is a link to a list being maintained by Dorchester County Tourism for status of restaurants, lodging and shops in the County: https://visitdorchester.org/visitor-info-during-the-pandemic/ If you have any additions or changes to the list please reach out to the Chamber or Tourism and we will work to get it updated.
There are posters and forms that can be helpful for your organization and some are required. Here is the link to our current list for you to view and download. We will print copies for free for our members. Just let us know which ones you need. If you find other signs you feel will be helpful let us know and we will get them added.
If you have any questions or suggestions for additional information for us to share with our members, please let us know. Working together as a community we will get pass this and become stronger for it.
