In response to the growing public health concern over the COVID-19 virus, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce has compiled resources to help keep our members and the Maryland business community informed.
Local reopenings:
Maryland Department of Commerce “Back to Business” Landing Page for Industry-Specific Safety Guidelines
As the state gets back to business, our business owners are urged to continue to put people first. This means adhering to guidelines that ensure the safety of your workers and customers alike. Through our collective efforts, Maryland’s business community will play a critical role in protecting our citizens and preventing another surge of COVID-19 infections.
All Executive Orders still in effect must be complied with. See most up to date orders. Additional industry sector guidance is coming soon.
For more information and to take the Back to Business pledge, click here.
Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery
“The “Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery” has been developed based on the recovery plans issued by the federal government, the National Governors Association, and premier institutions like Johns Hopkins and the American Enterprise Institute; shaped by the expert advice of the scientists and public health officials on Maryland’s Coronavirus Response Team; and tailored to our situation here in Maryland. The result is a responsible, gradual, safe path forward for our state.”
Maryland Interagency Website: COVID-19 Information for Businesses
UPDATE: Effective Monday, April 6th at 5:00pm: Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan and Grant Funds will not accept any further applications. Any applicant that has an application in process will be allowed 24 hours to complete. The Maryland Department of Commerce has reached capacity at nearly 40,000 applications and are diligently working to review and process these as quickly as possible.
- Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan Fund
- Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund
Governor Hogan announced new COVID-19 business relief programs on March 23. These resources are available directly linked below and by going directly to the Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor. Click to view the most recent (3/30/20) Interpretive-Guidance: COVID19-07 issued from the Governor as well as the Restated and Amended Executive Order (3/30/20) originally put into place on March 23,2020.
- Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Manufacturing Fund
- COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund
- COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund Fact Sheet
- COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund Application (Excel)
UPDATE: Governor Hogan announced that the entire state of Maryland has received designation for SBA assistance.
We have learned that the MD Department of Commerce is accepting requests for “essential service” designations. You can email your request to psector@maryland.gov. There is no specific format required. Commerce is asking for a short, concise summary on why your business should receive an essential service designation. They will ask for more information if required.
“The State of Maryland has taken far-reaching and proactive steps to minimize the impact of COVID-19 across our state, including ordering state employees to telework, closing public schools, closing casinos and racetracks, and activating the National Guard so it is ready to carry out any emergency functions that may be needed. State agencies including the Department of Commerce remain prepared to serve our clients in the business community.”
The State has created an interagency resource guide for businesses to utilize during the COVID-19 crisis. The Maryland Chamber of Commerce encourages our members and business partners to regularly visit this website as it contains the most accurate and up-to-date information related to the economic impact of the virus. On this website you will find the following information and supporting resources:
- Business Closures & Restrictions
- Public Health Emergency Protection Act
- Employer & Worker Assistance
- Financial Assistance & Taxes
- Licensing & Permitting
For any specific questions that are not addressed through these resources, businesses should email Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov. We have been assured that a representative from the Maryland Department of Commerce will respond to specific inquiries within 48-72 hours.
Find a full list of Governor Hogan’s executive orders here, and find guidance on business closures here and here. If “essential” or “non-essential” status is still unclear, please use this as guidance.
View an ongoing list of frequently asked questions here for Maryland businesses planning and responding to the Coronavirus.
Additional resources for business owners impacted by COVID 19 can be found at the Maryland Business Express website.
Maryland Business Relief Wizard
MDCC has partnered with business leaders and statewide organizations to help launch the Maryland Business Relief Wizard for businesses to navigate federal and state financial relief programs in response to COVID-19. The “wizard” is an online tool that serves as an up-to-date, one-stop destination for businesses as they seek to navigate the many resources available to them.
By visiting the wizard and answering a short series of questions, businesses will be able to quickly identify which state and federal programs they are eligible for and get directions to apply.
In addition to MDCC, partners and contributors include Howard County Economic Development Authority, Mindgrub, BTS Software Solutions, Maryland Department of Commerce, Howard County Chamber of Commerce, Maryland Tech Council, IBM and various industry subject-matter experts, including KatzAbosch, Capital Services and Offit Kurman Attorneys at Law.
This team will continue to monitor federal and state resources and update the wizard as new programs become available, or as existing programs change in availability. To get started:
The Maryland Department of Health has created a COVID-19 Information Portal. The portal includes the following information:
- COVID-19 FAQs
- COVID-19 FAQs for Older Adults
- COVID-19 FAQs about testing
- FAQs about Maintaining Mental Health
The portal also includes all press releases from Governor Hogan related to COVID-19.
The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has activated its Virtual Business Operation Center (VBOC) in support of Maryland Department of Health response to COVID-19 and to address inquiries from the private sector. Businesses that are interested in emergency operations engagement can learn more through MEMA’s Private Sector Integration Program. For a copy of their most recent webinar materials you may access the recording here and the PowerPoint presentation here.
On Saturday afternoon (3/21/20), Governor Larry Hogan announced that the State of Maryland has relaunched the “Maryland Unites” website with resources for families in need of assistance during the Coronavirus pandemic. The #MarylandUnites website provides residents with the ability to find opportunities to help fellow Marylanders, as well as a comprehensive, A-to-Z COVID-19 resource guide.
Maryland Small Business Resource Center (SBDC)
The Small Business Development Center has created COVID-19 Small Business Survival Guide. This guide provides current information related to small business best practices during this disaster, emergency funding, state programs, and updates on regulations. This guide is being updated as new information becomes available. Please share with your small business clients and partners.
State Legislative Resources
The Maryland Chamber of Commerce is actively monitoring state legislation seeking to address challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis to ensure that it appropriately balances public health and safety with the economic realities employees and employers are facing at this time.
In its remaining days before adjourning Sine Die, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation to address several ongoing COVID-19 challenges. SB 1080/HB 1663, the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Protection Act of 2020, authorizes the Governor to take actions relating to health insurance, Medicaid, retailer profits, employer actions and personnel at State health care facilities.
A summary of the legislation can be found here.
We will continue to monitor ongoing efforts at the state and federal levels to provide COVID-19 for Maryland businesses, workers and families and provide our membership with regular updates as they materialize.
Comptroller Announces Extension of Tax Filing Deadlines & New Communication Channels
To assist businesses affected by the economic impact of COVID-19, Maryland’s Comptroller Peter Franchot announced that the deadline for filing taxes will be extended. Starting on March 23rd at 4:30 p.m., taxpayer assistance is only available via email at taxhelp@marylandtaxes.gov. The comptroller has also set up a special email address to facilitate answering targeted tax questions during the COVID-19 pandemic, for those specific questions email COVID19@marylandtaxes.gov. If you are a business taxpayer with questions please email taxpayerrelief@marylandtaxes.gov.
Resources for rural businesses
ALL COVID-19 RESOURCES FROM THE MARYLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CHAMBER RESOURCES
Resources include: the ReNEW Maryland Initiative, the Safe Workplace: Best Practices and Baselines for Reopening Maryland PDF, Essential Employee Designation Letter, MDCC advocacy communications on behalf of our membership, recordings and resources from Maryland Chamber Foundation webinar series, and more.
FEDERAL RESOURCES
Resources include: resources from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), updates on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) from the U.S. Department of Treasury, resources from NFIB, resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Resource Toolkit, federal legislative resources, resources for rural businesses, and more.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Resources include: Resources from Maryland Chamber of Commerce Members such as BGE, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Johns Hopkins, The Maryland Bankers Association, and Shawe Rosenthal; resources from the World Health Organization; the McKinsey and Company Talent Exchange; resources from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM); and more.
For more information contact mdchamber@mdchamber.org or (410) 269-0642.
