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Resources - Announcements - Events
www.annapolis.gov/econdev
November 2020

 

COVID-19 Resources

Business Resources 

Small Business Recovery Task Force

COVID-19 Business Resources
COVID-19 Workforce Assistance
COVID-19 Small Business Relief
COVID-19 Recursos Para Negocios

City Resources 

COVID-19 Info
Recovery Zones and Districts
Come Back Annapolis


Take Our Business Survey


As we continue to navigate the effects of the Covid-19 Economy, Annapolis Economic Development is conducting an Annapolis Business Survey to profile the state of the business community in the city. This information will help to inform our existing and future initiatives. Please take a few minutes to fill-out the brief questions.


Join our "Come Back Annapolis" Small Business Recovery Program


If you’re a small business located within the city boundaries, please join our Small Business Recovery Program. Small business owners can complete a brief application and share modified hours, changes to service delivery, and special offers. Business listings will be made available in our Small Business Locator and promoted throughout the community.

Business Counselling Sessions With Task Force Still Available


The Annapolis Small Business Recovery Task Force's Business Advisory Committee provides free counseling to Annapolis small business owners. If you would like business advice from a member of the committee, please fill out the intake form. Areas of support include: cash management, finance, management and operations, ecommerce, information technology, legal,  human resources, and marketing assistance.

Announcements

 

Maryland Strong: Economic Recovery Initiative Announced 


Governor Larry Hogan recently announced the $250 million "Maryland Strong: Economic Recovery Initiative," which provides funding from the Rainy Day Fund to directly assist small businesses, restaurants, local entertainment venues, arts organizations, and Main Streets across the state. The new funding will be provided to new and existing programs. Information will be provided as it becomes available. 


MSAC Additional Emergency Grant Funding Now Available


An additional $3 million was distributed to MSAC through its Emergency Grant Program. Created in March in response to the COVID-19 State of Emergency, Emergency Grants provide funding to arts organizations and artists for losses sustained because of programming, operations, and events that have been modified or cancelled. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on November 13 to be considered for funding.

COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund Available


Additional funding is now available through the successful COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, which is designed to support small businesses undergoing economic stresses due to the pandemic by preventing or minimizing the duration of unemployment resulting from layoffs. The award (up to $50,000 per applicant), will be a quick deployable benefit and customizable to the specific needs of your business to minimize the need for layoffs.

FY2021 COVID Relief Grants for the Arts Program


Anne Arundel County Partners with Arts Council to Provide $1 million for Artists and Arts Organizations through the FY2021 COVID Relief Grants for the Arts Program (GAP). Grants will be broken down in two categories:  Independent Artists, and Arts Nonprofits or Businesses that solely employ artists or performers.  All applicants must be a resident of Anne Arundel County.

Excluded Worker Humanitarian Relief Fund


To help our communities begin a path to recovery, AAWDC in partnership with Anne Arundel County has established the Excluded Worker Humanitarian Relief Fund.  Financial support will be provided to unemployed residents who lost their job in 2020, were making $25/hour or less, and have not received unemployment insurance benefits. Contact the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation, 410-987-3890.

Upcoming Restaurant and Food Service Recovery Grant


The Restaurant and Food Service Recovery Grant, administered by Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, aims to help restaurants and food service businesses in the county that have been impacted by a significant reduction in revenue because of pandemic related restrictions while also trying to afford new costs related to ensuring employee and customer safety as well as regular operating expenses. The application portal will open this month. 


Celebrate National Veterans Small Business Week


Join the US Small Business Administration this week, November 2-6, as they celebrate National Veterans Small Business Week. They will be showcasing our nation’s military and veteran-owned businesses all week long. This year’s theme is #VetBiz Resources in Your Local Community which highlights the breadth of free to low-cost entrepreneurial resources that veteran and military entrepreneurs can access right in their neighborhood.

Comcast RISE Offers Marketing and Technology Makeovers


Comcast RISE is a program that stands for Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment. It is initially available for Black small business owners, and beginning November 28, 2020, all BIPOC small business owners will be eligible to apply. In addition, all small businesses are able to sign up for free marketing insights and resources.

Milestones

Congratulations to our city's newest business:

Infinity Coaching Services 

Spotlight 

Maryland Department of Labor's Work Sharing Program 

A Layoff Aversion and Reopening Unemployment Insurance Program


Work Sharing is a voluntary program that provides an alternative to layoffs for employers faced with a temporary, non-cyclical decline in business due to lower economic activity. The program is designed to avoid layoffs by preserving jobs for current employees and to assist businesses that have already undertaken layoffs to reopen and resume operations gradually. Employers who participate in Work Sharing can retain employees by temporarily reducing the hours of work, within a range of 20% to 50%, among employees within the affected unit(s). The employees with reduced work hours receive partial unemployment insurance benefits to supplement lost wages.

Work Sharing can mitigate or prevent the adverse effects of the current economic crisis by keeping businesses connected to their employees, and ensuring employees continue to receive compensation. Work Sharing can also serve as a means of bringing most or all of a temporarily laid off workforce back to the job, even if social-distancing measures, a decline in business or other factors prevent operating at full staffing levels immediately.

Contact: Maryland Department of Labor, ui.worksharing@maryland.gov 

Training Webinars

 

Upcoming:


Webinar: A Roadmap to Your Professional Web Presence
Maryland SBDC 
November 4, 1:00 pm 

Cost: Free 

Webinar: Retail - From Bah Humbug to Boom: Mastering the Holiday Season
Maryland SBDC 
November 9, 9:00 am 
Cost: Free 

Webinar: Resiliency Spotlight (Restaurants): eCommerce Strategies for Growing a Robust Local Customer Base
Maryland SBDC 
November 9, 2:00 pm 
Cost: Free 

Technical Training Classroom Webinar: Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Program
The Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs
November 10, 10:00 am 
Cost: Free 

Webinar: Creating a Quick Business Plan
SCORE Southern Maryland 
November 12, 12:00 pm 
Cost: Free

Webinar: Successfully Starting a New Business
SCORE Southern Maryland 
November 13, 12:00 pm 
Cost: Free

Webinar The Law of Social Media, Discrimination, and Harassment
Maryland SBDC 
November 17, 1:00 pm 
Cost: Free 

Marketing Part 1: Developing Your Marketing Plan 
SCORE Southern Maryland 
November 18, 12:00 pm 
Cost: Free


Webinar: Navigating The Holiday Season & COVD Like A Pro
Maryland SBDC 
November 18, 1:00 pm 
Cost: Free 

Webinar: Re-Tooling, Pivoting Or Designing Your Business Model
Maryland SBDC 
November 18, 1:00 pm 
Cost: Free 

Webinar: Creating a “Business Model Canvas” to Better Understand Your Business in the New Economy
Maryland SBDC 
November 18, 5:00 pm 
Cost: Free 

Webinar: Marketing Part 2: Promoting Your Business 
SCORE Southern Maryland 
November 19, 12:00 pm 
Cost: Free


Financial Basics for New Small Businesses
SCORE Southern Maryland 
November 20, 12:00 pm 
Cost: Free


Webinar: Holiday eCommerce for Small Retailers: Fulfillment
Maryland SBDC 
November 23, 9:00 am 
Cost: Free 

Publications and Resources

 
Starting a Business in Annapolis
In-Depth Guide to Growing Your Business in Annapolis
Crear un Negocio en Annapolis
Maryland Financing & Incentives

Quick Links

 

Business Development

Annapolis Economic Development Division
Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation
Maryland Department of Commerce
US Small Business Administration

Annapolis Business Districts

Annapolis Arts District + Inner West Street
Annapolis Design District
Downtown Annapolis + Maryland Avenue and State Circle Association Annapolis
Eastport Business Association
SOFO - Forest Drive Corridor
West Annapolis Business Affiliation

Annapolis Economic Development Division, 410-260-2200
Stephen Rice, Economic Development Manager, smrice@annapolis.gov
Hope Stewart, SMBE Liaison, hstewart@annapolis.gov 

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