Discover Easton launches downtown COVID Relief Grant for small businesses

Set to award $245,000 to Easton’s Main Street merchants

Discover Easton is excited to announce the new Downtown Easton COVID Relief Grant, a one-time stimulus for Easton’s independent businesses to aid them during the most trying economic climate many have experienced. The award was recently announced by Governor Hogan. 

“We are really happy to be able to bring this needed stimulus money to our small, downtown businesses” Discover Easton President Jeff Schneider said. “This is a role that twelve months ago we never imagined having to take on, but we’re grateful for our partners at the State of Maryland and Governor Hogan for making this possible for Easton’s businesses.”

The grant from the Department of Housing and Community Development will be immediately redirected by Discover Easton into the fund to support downtown businesses, held by the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, and the application to receive funding will open on Monday, March 8, and will be available for two weeks until March 22. Distributions to businesses are expected to start in April. 

“Our goal was to make this application and process as simple and timely as we could, and we’re thankful for the help of our partners at the state, Town of Easton, and at Mid-Shore Community Foundation to allow us to do just that,” Schneider said.

The grant is open to most downtown businesses, however priority is given to first-floor storefronts occupied by retailers, restaurants, barbershops and hair salons. Priority is also given to owners in which the business is their primary source of income. 

The full requirements and application can be found at www.discovereaston.com/grant. 

About Discover Easton: Discover Easton is a marketing, promotion and events non-profit organization operating as a member of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. The mission of Discover Easton is to enhance, promote, and preserve the vitality of its member businesses.