Main Street Small Business Relief Grant Program

Main Street Small Business Relief Grant Program


Downtown Frederick Partnership’s Main Street Small Business Relief Grant Program provided working capital and COVID-19 adaptation support grants to Downtown Frederick retail, restaurant, craft beverage and personal service businesses. The program was created with funding provided by the State of Maryland under Governor Hogan’s Maryland Strong: Economic Recovery Initiative.

The Partnership granted a total of $250,278 to interested eligible businesses. The Partnership opted to use $0 for grant program administration in order to maximize the grants to eligible businesses. In addition to the $250,278, the Partnership has set aside limited funding to be used to reduce the advertising costs for businesses participating in the 2021 Get it Downtown magazine.

Following the grant deadline, the Partnership divided the pool of available funds equally between all eligible businesses. All grant dollars received by eligible businesses must be spent by June 30, 2021.

Grant Program Guidelines

  • One time grant award with no repayment (not a loan)
  • Limited to one award per business entity
  • Retail, restaurant/craft beverage and personal service (fitness, salon/spa/barber, tattoo/piercing, wellness, entertainment) businesses are eligible to apply
  • Must be a registered business entity in Good Standing with the State of Maryland. To check your business for Good Standing, use SDAT’s free online search linked here. (see below for more information)
  • Must have a physical commercial establishment within the Partnership boundaries
  • Can be a for profit or not for profit business within the accepted business categories of retail, restaurant/craft beverage or personal service
  • Must be open and operating (excluding COVID-19 related temporary closures)
  • Can be combined with other funding sources from the city, county, state and/or federal grant or loan programs
  • Must consent to be included in Partnership marketing and promotional materials

Eligible Uses of Funds

Grant funds can be used for:

  • Rent/mortgage payments, utilities and payroll
  • Purchase of equipment and services to expand outdoor dining or shopping through physical improvements including umbrellas, heaters, warmers and pedlets (platform/decks to be placed in parking spaces to provide a surface level to the curb for dining/walking)
  • Sanitization services
  • Purchase of PPE
  • Technology and supplies to support online sales, curbside pickup, carryout and delivery
  • Infrastructure improvements, including HVAC system upgrades
  • Marketing expenses related to allowing the business to continue to safely operate, expand operations and/or adapt their business model to respond to changes due to COVID-19 restrictions and prevention

How to check your business for Good Standing with the State of Maryland

Note: Not required for sole proprietors or other types of businesses that are not required to register with the State of Maryland.

The State of Maryland has created a Good Standing Checklist for business owners to proactively determine whether or not their business is in good standing with SDAT and provides instructions for how to correct any deficiencies. To check if you are in Good Standing, look up your business on SDAT’s free online search.

  • Enter your business name and then select “search” (use your legal business name)
  • Your business will be listed if you are registered
  • Select your business and check under the General Information tab to verify your business is in good standing. It is not necessary to order a copy of your certificate of good standing. 

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