4th Round of HoCo RISE Grants Now Available With May 24 Deadline

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The application period has opened for a fourth round of HoCo RISE Business Grants for restaurants and hotels. This round of grants is funded by the state with $1.2 million allocated for restaurants and more than $500,000 available for hotels. The county is targeting businesses that have not yet received a grant, but all are welcome to apply, according to Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

Applications can be completed at www.hceda.org/c19grants by May 24.

“During the course of the past year, our small local businesses have pushed forward through extraordinary circumstances and unforeseen obstacles, the very least we can do is continue to provide additional support and funding to ensure they can thrive as we emerge from this pandemic,” Ball said during a news conference. “Since July 2020, Howard County has provided nearly $18 million in CARES Act Funding to local restaurants, small-retailers, farms, hotels, live venues, childcare providers and home-based businesses – and there’s still more to do.”

Restaurants and hotels can use the grant funding for any expenses related to COVID-19 including working capital and operating costs, infrastructure improvements, technology and more. Restaurants may receive a maximum amount of $12,000, while hotels may receive up to $25,000 under the program.

“Support from the county and state is critical to the survival of our hotels and restaurants,” Visit Howard County Executive Director Amanda Hof said. “These businesses also need support from the community which will contribute to our local economy and residents’ quality of life.”

"2020 was one of the most difficult years in the history of the restaurant industry hands down. The good news is that 2021 is looking up and we are grateful to see more and more people starting to come out, however, grants like this are still very much needed to help us independent businesses see our way through this, we couldn't do it without them,” Periodic Table restaurant owner Lance Cook said.