Dorchester Announces COVID Grant Relief Program
The Dorchester County Council approved a third round of the COVID-19 Grant Relief Program. Funding priority will be given to businesses who have not received any federal, state or county economic assistance at the time of their application. The remaining applications who have received other COVID funding will be reviewed on a first come first serve basis.
Applications are available online at www.ChooseDorchester.org and must be completed and submitted by October 15, 2020. Paper applications are available Monday through Friday (8:30-4:30) from the Dorchester County Economic Development Office located at the Eastern Shore Innovation Center, 104 Tech Park Drive in Cambridge.
About
The COVID-19 Grant Relief Program is a fund established to help Dorchester County’s small businesses harmed by the coronavirus pandemic. Grants will be given in 3 tiers based on the business’ gross income.
0-$50,000 Gross Income – $5,000 grant
$50,000-$100,000 Gross Income – $7500 grant
$100,000 + Gross Income – $10,000 grant
All eligible Non-profits- $5,000 grant (not based on gross income)
Grant Terms & Use of Funds
Dorchester County will provide small business with funding relief for qualifying expenditures including: Payroll; rent or mortgage; operating expenses; inventory acquisition; working capital; personal protective equipment; and/or sanitizers.
Funds cannot be used for capital improvements or personal expenses or to cover expenses already accounted for in the budget. A grant report is due 60 days after receipt of funding. All grant funds must be returned to the county if a business fails to reopen.
Eligibility
To qualify, small businesses must:
COMPLETE ALL SECTIONS OF APPLICATION
Be a for-profit or non-profit that meets certain criteria
Have 50 or fewer employees
Demonstrate a loss of revenue and disruption due to COVID-19
Have been in operation prior to February 1, 2020
Be in good standing with the State of Maryland, and registered if required by law
Not currently be in default on any loans from Dorchester County or delinquent on any taxes owed Dorchester County
NON-PROFIT ELIGIBILITY
Must have had continuous non-profit standing with the Federal Government for 3 or more years and have an established location in Dorchester
Non- Profits must meet one of the following criteria:
-Increase local job opportunities
-Have 1 full-time paid employee
-Provide support services to local businesses
-Promote Tourism
-Support Business Retention
-Expansion/Promotion of Arts and Entertainment
investment real estate firms; financial institutions; government agencies; and new business ventures are not eligible.
How to Apply – Instructions & Required Documents
Qualifying businesses must complete a two-page application and email, mail or drop off to along with the following attachments:
2019 W3 IRS Form
2019 Tax Return, Schedule C or 990-N
2019 W-9 IRS form
Profit and Loss Statement-Monthly operating expenses and revenues for 2020 relative to 2019*
Delivery Instructions
By E-mail: info@ChooseDorchester.org
Mail/Deliver:
COVID-19 Grant Relief Program
c/o Dorchester County Economic Development Office
104 Tech Park Drive
Cambridge, MD 21613
Application Review & Approval
Applications will be date and time stamped when received electronically or in person. All fields in the application must be completed and required documents attached in order to be considered.
Businesses from Round 1 & Round 2 will receive backfill funding based on the new criteria for Round 3. Please do not reapply if you received funding in the previous grant rounds. The Economic Development Office will contact you.