ECONOMIC RESPONSE
Essential Service Designations:
- Governor Hogan signed an executive order designating workers providing services to the disabled as healthcare workers, and therefore essential. (April 1)
- Pursuant to Governor Hogan’s order to close all non-essential businesses, the following businesses in the following industries may remain open: chemicals, commercial facilities, communications, critical manufacturing, defense, emergency services, energy, financial services, food and agriculture, government facilities, health care and public health, IT, transportation, and water and wastewater. (March 23)
Labor & Workforce Guidance, Standards and Regulations:
- Maryland released official reopening guidance for businesses based on sector. Details for each sector can be found here.
Economic Stimulus & Relief:
- Governor Hogan announced an additional $192.9 million in funding to local governments and service providers to assist tenants whose ability to pay rent has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. (May 17)
- Governor Hogan announced the launch of Project Bounce Back, a $25 million public-private partnership to help Maryland youth recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic through mental health, youth development, and digital solution programs. (May 6)
- Governor Hogan announced the state health insurance marketplace, Maryland Health Connection, will extend its current Coronavirus Special Enrollment Period. Uninsured Marylanders may enroll in health coverage now until Aug. 15. (March 26)
- Governor Hogan announced $7 million in awards to support more than 5,000 small businesses and other economic recovery efforts in both the state- and Baltimore City-designated Main Street communities. (February 23)
- Governor Hogan signed the RELIEF Act of 2021, which would deliver more than $1 billion in tax relief and economic stimulus for families and small businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. (February 15)
- Governor Hogan and Maryland Health Benefit Exchange announced the state health insurance marketplace, Maryland Health Connection, would extend its current special enrollment period until May 15. (February 10)
- Governor Hogan announced more than $123.2 million in funding toward Maryland’s local health departments, including resources for ongoing COVID-19 vaccinations. (February 4)
- Governor Hogan introduced the RELIEF Act of 2021, an emergency legislative package that would provide more than $1 billion in direct stimulus and tax relief for working families, small businesses, and those who have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. (January 11)
- Governor Hogan announced that all Maryland SNAP recipients would receive an additional 15% increase in their total benefits beginning in January due to recent federal legislation. In addition, as part of the state’s emergency economic relief measures, Maryland’s Temporary Cash Assistance families would receive an additional $40 million in benefits. (January 6)
- Governor Hogan announced that more than $154 million would be available in energy assistance funds to help cover heating, electric, and gas utility bills. (December 30)
- Governor Hogan announced the recipients of 32 awards totaling more than $8 million to tourism-related nonprofits through the Maryland Strong Economic Recovery Initiative. (December 18)
- Governor Hogan signed an executive order to provide emergency tax relief to small businesses, forgives $75 million in small business loans, commits $25 million for low income housing, $12 million for rental housing works program. Governor Hogan also announced $94 million in new grants and investments for diabetes treatment and prevention and $10 million for victim and youth services, law enforcement. (December 10)
- Governor Hogan announced that 17 Maryland local jurisdictions were awarded $19.3 million in Maryland Eviction Prevention Partnership grants, which will address the needs of more than 3,600 households across the state. (November 23)
- Governor Hogan announced the commitment of $70 million in new investments for initiatives to protect the health, safety, and well-being of Marylanders during the COVID-19 pandemic. (November 12)
- As part of Governor Hogan’s $250 million economic recovery package for Marylanders affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, new financial assistance programs were made available to restaurants, independent artists, arts organizations, entertainment venues, and Main Street businesses across the state. (November 6)
- Governor Hogan announced the $250 million “Maryland Strong: Economic Recovery Initiative,” which would provide funding from the Rainy Day Fund to directly assist restaurants, small businesses, local entertainment venues, arts organizations, and Main Streets across the state. The initiative doubled the state’s total commitment to COVID-19 emergency economic relief for Marylanders to $500 million. (October 22)
- Governor Hogan announced the Maryland Farmer COVID-19 Relief Program, a new $10 million initiative that would offer direct assistance to contract poultry growers and a bonus payment to any farm operation that received funding through the first round of the federal Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. (October 19)
- Governor Hogan and Attorney General Frosh announced that $11.7 million in general funds would be directed to the Maryland Legal Services Corporation to provide legal services to families facing eviction and other housing security issues. (October 8)
- Governor Hogan announced that Maryland’s 24 local jurisdictions could begin applying for $16 million in Maryland Eviction Prevention Partnership grants, which would help support local rental assistance programs across the state. (September 9)
- Governor Hogan announced the state would renew its successful partnership with The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation to implement the Affordable Rental Housing Opportunities for People with Disabilities initiative. (September 3)
- Governor Hogan announced that more than $10 million has been awarded to 445 small businesses through the Maryland Department of Labor’s COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, saving more than 8,800 jobs. (August 31)
- FEMA approved Maryland’s application for additional $300 per week in unemployment benefits. (August 20)
- Governor Hogan announced open enrollment for assisted housing relief program. (July 24)
Business Support & Resources:
- Governor Hogan announced that Maryland small businesses would have one additional week to apply for the state’s Small Business COVID-19 RELIEF Grant Program. (May 17)
- Governor Hogan announced nearly $24 million in federal funding would be allocated to help airports in Maryland recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. (April 10)
- Governor Hogan announced $30 million in awards for more than 90 live music and performance venues, live entertainment promoters, and independently-owned local movie theaters whose operations have been impacted by COVID-19. (January 15)
- Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced $3 million Small Business COVID-19 Reimbursement Grant Program for local businesses. (July 14)
- Governor Hogan announced $190 million in relief to help colleges, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations through a new nonprofit recovery initiative. (June 30)
- Baltimore Mayor Jack Young announced $5.5 million in financial assistance for small businesses within the city. The funding is provided by a public-private partnership, the COVID-19 Small Business Task Force. (April 23)
