Montgomery Council Considering $250K For Teleworking Relief

ROCKVILLE, MD — As the economic downturn deepens, Montgomery County might issue $250,000 in emergency grants to businesses and nonprofits that have implemented teleworking programs during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Montgomery County Council introduced the special appropriation at Tuesday's virtual council meeting.

Through this special appropriation, the all-Democratic council will create the Telework Assistance Program to reimburse businesses and nonprofits for technology costs associated with teleworking during the public health crisis. The money would come from the county's General Fund Reserves.

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Officials say eligible businesses and nonprofits can receive up to $2,500 in grants each for verified teleworking equipment and software. The grant will be based on actual expenditures.

A business or nonprofit is eligible to receive aid from the Telework Assistance Program if:

• Its only location is in the county;
• Its county-based locations account for more than 50 percent of the total number of employees or 50 percent of gross sales;
• It employs 100 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees;
• It has not received financial assistance from the county or state for teleworking expenses related to the coronavirus crisis;
• And it has incurred teleworking expenditures after March 1, 2020

The council is set to vote on the special appropriation on April 30.

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