$25M Emergency Small Business Fund Being Considered In MoCo

SILVER SPRING, MD — Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on Friday announced that he is considering a multi-million-dollar emergency economic assistance fund in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

At a press conference outside McGinty's Pub in Silver Spring, Elrich said $20 million would go to struggling small businesses and $5 million would go to food assistance and families. The structure of the fund, however, has not been fleshed out.

"This is a start. We will revisit the numbers as we see how the money gets used," the Democrat said, noting that he has already asked Gov. Larry Hogan's office to consider the long-term effects this virus will have on local businesses.

"When this crisis begins to end, and things begin to go back to normal-ish, we need to make sure that small businesses can open their doors and resume business," he said. "And two things have to happen: They've got to survive through a period of closure or limited operations and then they have to be able to survive getting open again."

In the meantime, Elrich said, people should try to support local restaurants.

Earlier this week, the county's transportation department announced that they were putting up "No Parking" signs outside a number of neighborhood restaurants to make curbside pickup easier for residents and delivery drivers.

To help businesses in the area, the county's Board of License Commissioners has also passed a resolution that temporarily allows restaurants with on-premise alcohol licenses to sell sealed containers of beer and wine with delivery and carryout meals.

"I hope people use the carryout because the restaurants will not survive on a low level of carryout use," Elrich said. "We're keeping them open in the hope that the restaurants can maintain their doors open and to have as much of their staff survive through this with employment. And so, if you're out there, please feel free to order carry out."

In addition to discussing ways to help small businesses, Elrich issued a stark warning to residents.

"I want to say something to parents and also to the children out there, particularly the older ones who are a little less restricted," Elrich said. "This is not a vacation. This is not spring break. This is not a party. Our parks are open, but please do not use the pavilions. Do not put a bunch of people around the picnic table. And parents, don't let your children play on the play equipment. We don't know, and you don't know, who has been on that play equipment before your child was."

Just because younger people may not present as many symptoms of the virus, he added, does not mean they are not infected.

As of Friday evening, Montgomery County has 51 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus. That boosts the state's total to 149.

On Monday, Hogan ordered the closure of bars, restaurants, movie theatersm and gyms across the state. These drastic actions, which he admitted would be disruptive, are "absolutely necessary to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans," Hogan said.

In a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19, Hogan has also prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people.

While commending Hogan for his leadership, Elrich urged residents to take these measures seriously.

"We are just one step away from sheltering in place. Because when you get below 10, there's not much left but to say we're going to shelter in place," Elrich said. "If we cannot bend this curve, then the only responsible response from government is going to be to take further steps to try to get people to shelter in place. That is the only known way of reducing the spread of this until there's both a treatment and a vaccine and those aren't coming anytime soon."