Grants to Maryland Small Businesses in Eligible Areas to Encourage Business Development and Recovery in the Wake of COVID-19

Laurel Smart Move Small Business Grant Program

Agency

Local

GrantWatch ID#

201502

Funding Source

City of Laurel Department of Economic and Community Development (Laurel ECD)

Geographic Focus

USA: Maryland: City of Laurel

Important Dates

Deadline: 06/01/23 - Applications will be accepted until Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 11:59 pm.

Grant Description

Grants of up to $15,000 to Maryland small businesses in eligible areas to encourage business development and recovery in the wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis. Funding is intended to support new or established businesses that are opening in or relocating to office, industrial, or commercial space within the City of Laurel incorporated boundaries.

The goals of the Laurel Smart Move Small Business Grant Program include:

To provide financial support to businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
To support new business startups in order to fill commercial, office, and industrial vacancies within the City of Laurel that are due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Use of Funds:

Lease payments for a commercial, office, or industrial location to be used as the primary business location
Moving costs (e.g. truck rental, professional movers)
Connection and transfer of new utility services
Installation costs of equipment required for the business (but not the equipment itself)
Interior remodeling of the new location (e.g. painting, lighting, flooring, bathroom renovation)
Exterior and window signage
Other moving incidentals
Professional, engineering, architectural, and permit fees

Recipient

Eligibility

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)

Additional Eligibility Criteria

In order for a business to be eligible it must fall into one of the following categories:
1. Startup - A new startup business
2. Relocate - A relocating business
3. Expand - An expanding business that is opening up an additional location

The business must also be able to demonstrate how the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the need for the startup, relocation, or expansion of the business. This can be achieved by one or more of the following ways:
1. The business is able to demonstrate a loss of revenue starting in March 2020 that necessitates the need to downsize to a smaller location or relocate to a location with lesser monthly lease expenses
2. The business is able to demonstrate a change in their business operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic that necessitates relocation
3. The business is able to demonstrate how the products or services that are offered are directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic
4. The commercial, office, or industrial location was unable to secure a tenant during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020 to current) or became vacant during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020 to current)

For additional eligibility requirements, see the URL for Full Text.

Ineligible Business Types or Persons:
- Houses of Worship
- Banks and Financial Institutions
- Food Trucks
- Corporate-Owned Franchises
- Businesses in which City Staff and/or elected officials of the City have a financial interest of at least 25%

For ineligible expenses, see the URL for Full Text.

Additional Geographic Information:

The business must be locating to a space within the City of Laurel incorporated boundaries: https://cityoflaurel-md.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4354d6f13cc54ade976fc10029c2267e

The location must be zoned as one of the following:
C-N – Commercial Neighborhood
C-C – Commercial Community
C-G – Commercial General
C-SH – Commercial Shopping Center
C-V – Commercial Village
C-VAC – Commercial Village Activity Center
O-B – Office Building
O-B-E – Office Building
I-CS – Industrial Commercial Services
I-G – Industrial General
I-RTP – Industrial Research and Technology Park

Pre-Application Information

- Applications will be accepted beginning Monday January 3, 2022 at 9:00 am.
- The deadline to apply will be Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 11:59 pm.

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a first-come, first served basis.

One application per business entity is accepted.

Additional Funding Information

Estimated Total Program Funding:

$200,000

Estimated Size of Grant

This Program will award grants in the amount of $5,000 to $15,000.

Contact Information

Apply online: https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/78711-City-Of-Laurel

If assistance is needed with the application, please contact ECD@Laurel.md.us

Laurel Municipal Center
8103 Sandy Spring Road
Laurel, Maryland 20707

Grants to Maryland Small Businesses in Eligible Areas to Encourage Business Development and Recovery in the Wake of COVID-19

Laurel Smart Move Small Business Grant Program

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