ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The City of Laurel Department of Economic and Community Development (Laurel ECD) will administer the Main Street Business Recovery Micro-Grant Program. The program will award microgrants between up to $5,000 per businesses located within the City of Laurel’s designated Main Street area to use on marketing and marketing services. The total fund dedicated to this Program is $20,000. The City recognizes the need for businesses to be able to do business and connect with customers.
The goal of this grant program is to provide the opportunity for Main Street businesses to increase their marketing presence through websites, façade improvements, social media, and in print. Funds to support this grant program are provided by the Department of Housing and Community Development of the State of Maryland (DHCD) through the Operating Assistance Program.
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a first-come, first served basis. Submission of an incomplete or inaccurate application may result in ineligibility. Please read all grant terms and application instructions before starting and submitting your application. One application per business entity is accepted.
GRANT TERMS
This grant program awards grants of up to $5,000 to participating businesses located within the City of Laurel’s designated Main Street area to use on marketing.
The grant shall be used solely to cover eligible costs that meet the goals of this Program (as set forth above), examples of which are covered under “Use of Funds,” as set forth herein. The determination as to whether the proposed use of funds by any applicant are eligible for funds from this grant shall be determined by the City in its sole judgment and discretion, based upon applicable criteria, and is not appealable. The following constitutes examples of generally eligible and ineligible uses of the grant funds, though the City retains the right to determine whether, based upon the facts of any application, and in the sole judgment and discretion of the City, the purpose of the requested funding satisfies the goals of the Program:
Use of Funds
The grant funds shall be used for the following marketing activities:
(1) Website Building and Hosting
(2) Social Media Services
(3) Print Advertisement
(4) Business Signage Renovation
(5) New Business Signage
(5) Marketing training for business owners
(6) Streetscape Improvements
Ineligible Expenses
- Interior renovations
- Rent or mortgage payments
- Payroll expenses
- Furniture
- Exterior renovations, except those explicitly stated under “Use of Funds”
REQUIREMENTS
ELIGIBILITY
- The business must have a physical commercial location within the City of Laurel's designated Main Street area
- The business must have a current signed leasing contract or proof of ownership of the property that they reside at
- The business is an established business with a valid City of Laurel use and occupancy permit
- The business must be in good standing with the State of Maryland
- The business and all business owners must be current on all City, County, State, and Federal tax payments
- The Applicant is not engaged in any illegal activity (as defined by Federal guidelines)
Ineligible Business Types or Persons
- Houses of Worship
- Home-Based Businesses
- Banks and Financial Institutions
- Food Trucks
- Corporate-Owned Franchises
- Businesses that do not have a physical commercial location
- Business located outside of the City of Laurel Designated Main Street area boundaries
- Businesses that do not have a current or valid City of Laurel use and occupancy permit
- Businesses in which City Staff and/or elected officials of the City have a financial interest of at least 25%.
HOW TO APPLY
Application Instruction
- Please read all eligibility requirements thoroughly before beginning your application.
- The application may not be updated after submission. Please make sure your application is correct and complete before submitting.
- Only one application submission per business entity will be considered.
- Submission of an incomplete and/or inaccurate, application may disqualify a business from being awarded funding. Please check your application for completeness and accuracy before submitting.
- Review the Application Deadlines written below. No applications will be accepted after the deadline.
- Applications must be submitted through this online application portal
- If assistance is needed with the application, please contact [email protected] for assistance.
Scoring Rubric
This rubric will be used to determine which businesses are considered a priority for funding for this grant opportunity. If a Business Scores more than 50 points using this rubric, their application will be considered priority for consideration for this grant.
|
POINTS |
SCORING CATEGORY |
|
+10 |
Women Owned Business |
|
+10 |
Minority Owned Business |
|
+10 |
Veteran Owned Business |
|
+10 |
Non-Profit |
|
+10 |
1 or More Full Time Employee |
|
+10 |
1 or More Part Time Employee |
|
+10 |
No Business Website |
|
+10 |
No Online Store |
|
+10 |
No Social Media Presence |
|
+5 |
Business Owner Relies on Business for Personal Income |
|
+3 |
Supporting Document #1 Supports Grant Request |
|
+3 |
Supporting Document #2 Supports Grant Request |
|
+3 |
Supporting Document #3 Supports Grant Request |
|
+1 |
Complete and Submitted Application |
|
100 |
TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS |
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Applications will be accepted beginning FRIDAY MAY 27, 2022 at 5 PM.
The deadline to apply will be THURSDAY JUNE 30, 2021 at 5 PM.
Applications will only be accepted electronically through the online application portal. One application per business entity will be accepted.
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Submission of an incomplete or inaccurate application may result in ineligibility. If you have any questions regarding this grant opportunity, please contact [email protected]