Rise Up Business Stabilization Grant
The Rise Up Business Stabilization Grant has been reopened with changes to the guidelines. New guidelines allow start-up businesses established and operational from September 2019 to March 2020 that meet the criteria to submit an application. Other established businesses who have NOT previously applied would also be eligible to apply. Grant applications are accepted and funds are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Applications will be accepted until midnight on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Applications will be accepted electronically and can be downloaded at www.washcorises.net. Details for submission are stated on the application. The website also provides guidelines, application instructions, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Business owners can access the application by clicking the button below.
Applications will be accepted until midnight on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Applications will be accepted electronically and can be downloaded at www.washcorises.net. Details for submission are stated on the application. The website also provides guidelines, application instructions, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Business owners can access the application by clicking the button below.
SBA Releases Updated PPP Loan Forgiveness Application
Please find below the links for the updated PPP Forgiveness Application and Instructions
https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form--paycheck-protection-program-ez-loan-forgiveness-application-6-16-2020
https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/PPP%20Loan%20Forgiveness%20Application%20Form%20EZ%20Instructions%20%28Revised%2006.16.2020%29.pdf
https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form--paycheck-protection-program-ez-loan-forgiveness-application-6-16-2020
https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/PPP%20Loan%20Forgiveness%20Application%20Form%20EZ%20Instructions%20%28Revised%2006.16.2020%29.pdf
Best Practices for June 12th and June 19th Reopenings
On June 10th, the Governor announced a variety of new businesses and activities could open beginning at 5pm today (Amended Executive Order). As the state gets back to business, business owners are urged to adhere to best practices 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.
Best Practices:
Follow these best practices for general businesses and your specific business industry. Note: Spanish translations appear in parenthesis.
Recreation, Youth Programs, and Sporting Events Directives
Please adhere to the following orders and directives regarding community, recreational, leisure, cultural and sporting gatherings and events. View the latest directive for Swimming Pools and FAQs for Outdoor Youth Camps, Sports Programs, and Other Youth Programs from the Maryland Department of Health.
All businesses are encouraged to review FAQs regarding face coverings (en español), and consult with resources available through the CDC. Ongoing mitigation guidance, as well as prevention and support resources are available on the CDC’s website. All Executive Orders still in effect must be complied with. See most up to date orders. Additional industry best practices coming soon.
Best Practices:
Follow these best practices for general businesses and your specific business industry. Note: Spanish translations appear in parenthesis.
- Entertainment and Recreational Attractions: Per the Governor's executive order, indoor attractions open June 19
- Gyms, Martial Arts and Dance Studios: Per the Governor's executive order these facilities open June 19
- General Best Practices (Mejores Prácticas Para Negocios En General)
- Accommodations (Alojamiento/Hospedaje)
- Construction and Development (Construcción y Desarrollo)
- Golf (Golf)
- Manufacturing (Producción e Industrias)
- Marinas (Puertos Deportivos)
- Personal Services (Servicios Personales)
- Professional Services (Profesionales Y Servicios Financieros)
- Restaurants and Bars (Restaurantes Y Bares) | Executive Order | Additional Signage: English | Español
- Retail (Venta Minorista)
Recreation, Youth Programs, and Sporting Events Directives
Please adhere to the following orders and directives regarding community, recreational, leisure, cultural and sporting gatherings and events. View the latest directive for Swimming Pools and FAQs for Outdoor Youth Camps, Sports Programs, and Other Youth Programs from the Maryland Department of Health.
All businesses are encouraged to review FAQs regarding face coverings (en español), and consult with resources available through the CDC. Ongoing mitigation guidance, as well as prevention and support resources are available on the CDC’s website. All Executive Orders still in effect must be complied with. See most up to date orders. Additional industry best practices coming soon.
Amending and Restating May 27th's Order.
ALLOWING REOPENING OF CERTAIN BUSINESSES AND FACILITIES, SUBJECT TO LOCAL REGULATION
- Lifting of closures for some nonessential businesses: manufacturing, construction, wholesalers, warehouses, IT firms, legal offices, financial institutions, real estate offices, nail salons, tanning salons, tattoo studios etc. can open at 50% capacity with face coverings for all staff and clients AND proper safety precautions in place.
- The state government will return to more normal operations: MVA and other state agencies will begin a phased reopening (by appointment only), select branches.
- Maryland public transportation will return to more normal operational schedule.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL EXECUTIVE ORDER HERE
- The state government will return to more normal operations: MVA and other state agencies will begin a phased reopening (by appointment only), select branches.
- Maryland public transportation will return to more normal operational schedule.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL EXECUTIVE ORDER HERE
Brewery, Winery, Distillery Services Expanded with Executive Order 5/29:
Governor Larry Hogan today issued two additional COVID-19 emergency orders, extending a prohibition on utility shutoffs and residential late fees, and allowing breweries, wineries, and distilleries to provide service in outdoor seating areas.
EXTENDING MORATORIUM ON UTILITY SHUTOFFS AND LATE FEES. Governor Hogan has extended his order prohibiting electric, gas, water, sewage, phone, cable TV, and internet service provider companies from shutting off any residential customer’s service, or charging any residential late fees. This order now remains in effect through July 1. Read the governor’s emergency order.
EXPANDING SERVICES PROVIDED BY BREWERIES, WINERIES, AND DISTILLERIES. Governor Hogan has issued an emergency order expanding services by state-licensed manufacturers of alcohol, including breweries, wineries, and distilleries:
EXTENDING MORATORIUM ON UTILITY SHUTOFFS AND LATE FEES. Governor Hogan has extended his order prohibiting electric, gas, water, sewage, phone, cable TV, and internet service provider companies from shutting off any residential customer’s service, or charging any residential late fees. This order now remains in effect through July 1. Read the governor’s emergency order.
EXPANDING SERVICES PROVIDED BY BREWERIES, WINERIES, AND DISTILLERIES. Governor Hogan has issued an emergency order expanding services by state-licensed manufacturers of alcohol, including breweries, wineries, and distilleries:
- Allowing the service of alcoholic beverages in outdoor seating areas, consistent with the same Department of Health directives for restaurants and bars.
- Allowing third-party shipment to consumers by common carriers, such as FedEx or UPS.
Maryland Restaurant Reopening Guidance Webinar Slides:
Download the slides from a webinar on restaurant reopening guidance. Put together through the Maryland Department of Commerce, Department of Health, and Restaurant Association of Maryland.
DOWNLOAD HERE
DOWNLOAD HERE
Stage One of "Maryland Strong: Road Map to Recovery" Progresses:
Announced by Governor Larry Hogan, beginning Friday, May 29th at 5:00 PM:
OUTDOOR DINING - restaurants and social organizations (American Legion/VFW/Elks) may begin safely reopening for outdoor dining following strict public health requirements.
Restaurant patrons must be appropriately distanced, with no more than 6 people seated at a table. Restaurants must use single-use disposable menus or sanitize reusable menus between each use.
Restaurants must sanitize outdoor tables and chairs, and begin screening procedures, including daily temperature checks of staff. Masks must be worn when interacting with employees or patrons.
READ THE FULL EXECUTIVE ORDER HERE
OUTDOOR DINING - restaurants and social organizations (American Legion/VFW/Elks) may begin safely reopening for outdoor dining following strict public health requirements.
Restaurant patrons must be appropriately distanced, with no more than 6 people seated at a table. Restaurants must use single-use disposable menus or sanitize reusable menus between each use.
Restaurants must sanitize outdoor tables and chairs, and begin screening procedures, including daily temperature checks of staff. Masks must be worn when interacting with employees or patrons.
READ THE FULL EXECUTIVE ORDER HERE
COVID-19 Back to Business Toolkit: Download Available
About three weeks ago your chamber, along with a number of community partners in the private, public, and non-profit sectors began working on a safe and responsible plan to reopen our businesses. This plan, now a toolkit, is ready to share with you. The goal of the plan and toolkit is to balance the health and well-being of our citizens AND allow our businesses to reopen in a systematic and safe manner.
DOWNLOAD .pdf HERE
DOWNLOAD .pdf HERE
U.S. Chamber Publishes New Paycheck Protection Program Guide to Forgiveness
The U.S. Chamber published a new Paycheck Protection Program Guide to Forgiveness. Like previous guides, this document provides businesses with an easy to understand explanation of what they need to do to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans. Click here to download the guide. Please note, this guide will be updated as new guidance is issued by the Dept. of the Treasury.
Stage One of "Maryland Strong: Road Map to Recovery" Commences
Governor Larry Hogan held a press conference yesterday, May 13th, to announce the commencement of Stage One of the "Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery." Maryland has a 14-day trend of plateauing and declining numbers and therefore, effective Friday, May 15 at 5:00 PM, the Stay-at-Home order will be lifted and Maryland will move to a Safer-at-Home public health advisory.
Under the new advisory, retail stores will be able to open at 50% capacity, manufacturing may resume operations, and personal services (such as barbershops and hair salons) may open at up to 50% capacity by appointment only. Other services, such as churches and houses of worship, will be able to open with 50% capacity or less for inside services. All businesses are encouraged to take the 'Maryland Strong: Back to Business Pledge, which can be printed and posted at storefronts.
If Stage One activities are able to resume without a spike in hospitalizations, a sustained spike in ICU cases, or significant outbreaks of community transmission, Maryland will then be in a position to move to Stage Two of the recovery plan. It is important that we continue to work hard to control infections so we can continue to move forward in the reopening process. Other related documents:
As a result of the press conference, the county has already updated the Back to Business toolkit. It is attached and here is a link to the updated document: https://www.washco-md.net/wp-content/uploads/TWR_Biz-Toolkit.pdf. To help businesses navigate the reopening and economic recovery process, we have scheduled a Business Town Hall Webinar for tomorrow, Friday, May 15, from 11 am – 12:30 pm. Registration info can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/together-we-rise-webinar-business-town-hall-on-recovery-reopening-tickets-105294753442
Also, stay informed on the recovery and reopening of Washington County, MD by visiting the new website - www.WashCoRises.net. This site will be constantly updated as we move forward and has all of the resources you need. Please help us promote this through your networks. We need help getting this into the hands of every business.
Stay safe and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Paul Frey, President & CEO
Under the new advisory, retail stores will be able to open at 50% capacity, manufacturing may resume operations, and personal services (such as barbershops and hair salons) may open at up to 50% capacity by appointment only. Other services, such as churches and houses of worship, will be able to open with 50% capacity or less for inside services. All businesses are encouraged to take the 'Maryland Strong: Back to Business Pledge, which can be printed and posted at storefronts.
If Stage One activities are able to resume without a spike in hospitalizations, a sustained spike in ICU cases, or significant outbreaks of community transmission, Maryland will then be in a position to move to Stage Two of the recovery plan. It is important that we continue to work hard to control infections so we can continue to move forward in the reopening process. Other related documents:
As a result of the press conference, the county has already updated the Back to Business toolkit. It is attached and here is a link to the updated document: https://www.washco-md.net/wp-content/uploads/TWR_Biz-Toolkit.pdf. To help businesses navigate the reopening and economic recovery process, we have scheduled a Business Town Hall Webinar for tomorrow, Friday, May 15, from 11 am – 12:30 pm. Registration info can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/together-we-rise-webinar-business-town-hall-on-recovery-reopening-tickets-105294753442
Also, stay informed on the recovery and reopening of Washington County, MD by visiting the new website - www.WashCoRises.net. This site will be constantly updated as we move forward and has all of the resources you need. Please help us promote this through your networks. We need help getting this into the hands of every business.
Stay safe and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Paul Frey, President & CEO
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The Washington County Chamber of Commerce
1 South Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD 21740 Phone: 301-739-2015 | info@hagerstown.org | sitemap |
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