Gov. Larry Hogan announced $250 million in funding for small businesses on Thursday, doubling the state’s relief efforts as the number of positive Covid-19 cases in the U.S. continues to rise.
Hogan, a Republican, said Maryland’s metrics “remain low and stable.” Despite moving Maryland into the last stage of his economic reopening plan, Hogan said small businesses continue to feel the impact of the pandemic. He called for Congress to pass another round of federal stimulus funding but said the state could not sit back and wait.
“Our small business community and our struggling Marylanders who depend on them for their jobs cannot afford to wait any longer,” Hogan said. “This is especially true for our restaurants, entertainment venues and our small mom-and-pop shops along main streets across the state, many of whom are struggling and are desperately in need of additional and immediate relief.”
In the pandemic’s early days, Hogan directed the Department of Commerce to create several relief programs to support small businesses. The state provided $75 million in loans and $95 million in grants to thousands of businesses with fewer than 50 employees across Maryland.
