COVID-19 Downtown Relief Grants
In partnership with the State of Maryland, Discover Easton has secured $245,000 to be awarded to Easton‘s downtown businesses. These one-time, no repayment grants are meant to help our independent merchants in Easton‘s historic downtown fight through the toughest time many of them have ever faced.
Thank you for applying! We will be in touch with all applicants shortly.
Grant Program Overview
- One-time grant award with no repayment due (not a loan)
- Limited to one award per business entity.
- Eligible business uses: rent, mortgage payments, utilities, payroll, or capital expenses related to health and safety (equipment/supplies, HVAC, etc.).
- This grant is provided through the Department of Housing and Community Development and MUST be used within the Main Street district.
- We are accepting applications from all Main Street businesses, however priority is given to: retailers, restaurants, barbershops/hair salons with a physical, first-floor storefront.
- Priority given to businesses that are business owner‘s primary source of income.
Criteria For Eligible Businesses
- Must be a registered business in good standing with State of MD.
- Have physical establishment within Easton‘s Main Street district (see map)
- Engaged in activities currently impacted or regulated by the COVID-19 Maryland State of Emergency.
- Have no pre-existing tax liens of legal judgments
- Demonstrate a loss of business revenue related to COVID-19
- See FAQ section for excluded businesses from this round of funding.
Additional Information
Priority will be given to the industries identified above, as well as those that have adapted to COVID-19. Awardees will be required to complete a disbursement form and must be able to produce receipts within 60 days of disbursement. Awardees will be required to report employment and business data for a final report. Notification of award will be made within 30 days of application deadline. Awardees also consent to be included in future marketing and promotional materials for Discover Easton.
Frequently Asked Questions
The grant money is open to most businesses within Easton‘s Main Street District boundaries (see map). Priority will be given to businesses that are the owner‘s primary source of income and to retailers, restaurants, barbershops/hair salons with a physical, first-floor storefront, however all are encouraged to apply. Grants are expected to be up to $5,000. Not sure if you qualify? Please email Discover Easton at welcome@discovereaston.com
Almost all Main Street/downtown businesses are eligible, however the following are excluded from this round of grant funding:
– Not-for-profit organizations
– Multi-level Marketing businesses
– Banks and Financial Institutions
– Residential and Commercial Real Estate Firms
– Investment real estate entities
– National corporations
– Government agencies
This grant funding can be used for:
– Maintaining payroll and/or retaining employees during business disruptions or substantial shutdowns
– Meeting increased costs to obtain materials unavailable from the applicant‘s original source due to interrupted supply chains.
– Making rent or mortgage payments
– Repaying obligations that cannot be met due to revenue losses or business disruptions.
– Purchasing PPE or spending on safety measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Includes assets to keep customers safe during the pandemic (e.g. outdoor heaters for restaurant applicants)
Timeline
March 8:
Funding round opens
March 22:
All applications must be received by 5 p.m. Review will begin immediately on March 23.
March 29:
If necessary, any requested supplementary materials are due by 5 p.m. on March 29.
April 5:
Funding distributions will begin to our downtown businesses by April 5.
June 30:
Final report and receipts due.