$20.7M Awarded Through HoCo RISE Business Assistance Grants

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — As of Sept. 20, 2021, HoCo RISE Business Assistance Grant funding has disbursed more than $20.77 million through 2,251 grants. More than 75 percent of businesses that received grants are women, minority or veteran-owned.

The funding allowed for:

• $1.38 million in Howard County government grant funds;
• $8.35 million in state funding including Maryland Rainy Day and RELIEF Act funds; and,
• $11.04 million in CARES Act funding designated by Howard County for HoCo RISE Business Grants.

“Businesses have faced uncertainty and an unpredictable future at nearly every turn during this pandemic,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “We have nearly 10,000 businesses that call Howard County home, and since last summer, we have provided more than $20 million in funding to our restaurants, small-retailers, farms, hotels, live venues and childcare providers. We’re incredibly grateful to our partners at the EDA who have been vital in informing our community about these grants and ensured funding reached those who needed it most. We’re also thankful to the state for supporting some of our hardest hit industries, restaurants and lodging. These businesses' survival will be critical to our road to recovery from this pandemic.”

To date, Howard County Economic Development Authority has completed the administration of five rounds of funding to eligible Howard County businesses in need, with each round focused on different sectors:

• Round 1: A total of $2.3 million in grant funds were distributed to storefront retail and service, restaurants, farms, childcare providers, and hotels
• Round 2: A total of $11.25 million in grant funds were distributed to storefront retail and service, restaurants, farms, childcare providers, and hotels
• Round 3: A total of $4.48 million in grant funds were distributed to restaurants, hotels, and all other businesses including home-based businesses
• Round 4: A total of $1.78 million in grant funds were distributed to restaurants and hotels
• Round 5: A total of $982,500 in grant funds were awarded to 51 non-profit organizations

“The COVID-19 pandemic tested the resolve of the most established and seasoned business owners and leaders,” Howard County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Leonardo McClarty said. “The HoCo Rise grants proved to be a life line for merchants and coupled with other relief efforts allowed businesses to remain operable and to keep people employed. If there was ever a case where a little meant a lot, it was during the past 18 months.”