$6.5M In Pandemic Aid Approved For Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — An additional $6.5 million in pandemic aid to support residents and businesses will be coming down the pipeline now that Howard County Executive Calvin Ball signed emergency legislation allocating the funding. The Howard County Council unanimously voted to pass the bill, which was introduced by Ball in December 2020.

• $2 million for the Howard County Economic Development Authority to issue additional grants;
• $1 million for Howard County General Hospital to continue creating infrastructure for additional patient capacity;
• $1 million in housing assistance to prevent evictions and foreclosures;
• $1 million for food and utility bill assistance;
• And $1.5 million for extension of vital educational support and childcare programs like HoCo Scholars and RecZone.

“This funding is vital to our community as local and state governments continue to be omitted from federal relief,” Ball said in a statement.” At this moment, it is necessary for Howard County to once again step up and ensure the well-being of our residents and businesses. We all know there are brighter days on the horizon, but this pandemic is far from over. Thank you to the Howard County Council for supporting this effort. What is most clear, is that many people cannot wait for relief and action is needed now.”

Councilwoman Christine Rigby said her office has heard from "countless Howard County families who have felt the pain of housing instability and economic duress as the COVID-19 pandemic continues."

"These additional resources are painfully necessary to provide housing assistance, food and utility support, and small business funds to so many of our neighbors and community members in need," she said.