COVID-19 Resources For Partners
COVID-19 has had a major impact on the Mountain Maryland community. As we continue to monitor the health crisis, we also are actively working to address the economic recovery needs. Allegany County Tourism will remain vigilant and will continue to update this page with resources for our partners.
We here at Allegany County Tourism are here with you during these uncertain times regarding COVID-19. We understand that our business community has been heavily impacted and we are diligently preparing resources and shifting our focus to a supportive role in response to your business being forced to shift your business strategy.
As we navigate this new territory, we have developed a guest-facing COVID-19 Updates & Traveler Page where we will share up-to-date business and event information for community members and travelers.
Executive Orders:
For a full list of COVID-19 Pandemic: Orders and Guidance, CLICK HERE.
EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, MARCH 12 AT 5 PM:
- CAPACITY LIMITS LIFTED, MASKING AND DISTANCING PROTOCOLS MAINTAINED. Capacity limits will be lifted on outdoor and indoor dining at restaurants and bars, retail businesses, religious facilities, fitness centers, casinos, personal services, and indoor recreational establishments. Bars and restaurants will be open for seated and distanced service only—patrons may not stand at a crowded bar. Masking, physical distancing, and other safety protocols will remain in place. This also increases table size to 10, indoor booths may no be back to back with barriers and traditional buffets may resume.
- LARGE OUTDOOR AND INDOOR VENUES MAY OPERATE AT 50% CAPACITY. Large outdoor and indoor venues may begin operating at 50% capacity. This includes theaters; concert, convention, and wedding venues; racing facilities, and outdoor entertainment and sporting venues. Masking, physical distancing, and other safety protocols will remain in place. Meetings and conventions will now be references as indoor entertainment.
- QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS LIFTED; TRAVEL ADVISORY REMAINS IN PLACE. Quarantine requirements and other restrictions on out-of-state travel will be lifted. A Maryland Department of Health (MDH) travel advisory will remain in place, and Marylanders continue to be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 upon their return from out-of-state travel.
CLICK HERE to read the Amended Executive Order
EFFECTIVE WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 AT 5 PM:
- INDOOR DINING. the capacity for indoor operations at bars and restaurants will be reduced from 75% back to 50% for seated and distanced service only.
CLICK HERE to read the Executive Order.
EFFECTIVE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 AT 5 PM:
- Indoor dining at restaurants, limited to 50% capacity, with tables at least six feet apart and other public health protective measures.
- Outdoor amusements, such as miniature golf and go-kart tracks, limited to 50% capacity and with other public health protective measures.
- Indoor fitness, gyms, martial arts, dance, and other studio-type activities, limited to 50% capacity and with other public health protective measures.
- Casinos, arcades, and malls limited to 50% capacity with public health protective measures.
CLICK HERE to read Allegany County Commissioner's Guidelines.
July 29, 2020 - AS OF 5 P.M. ON JULY 31, REQUIRING USE OF FACE COVERINGS:
Anyone over the age of five is required to wear face coverings in the public spaces of all businesses across the state. Face coverings will also be required in outdoor public areas, whenever it is not possible to maintain physical distancing. The expanded order continues to provide certain exceptions, including for medical conditions.
CLICK HERE to read the Executive Order.
Grant & Loan Opportunities:
Before you dive into the grant and loan opportunities below, please take a moment to visit the Maryland Business Relief Wizard. The Maryland Business Relief Wizard is a tool that helps connect businesses with the resources and programming for which they’re eligible, streamlining the process of finding support.
Allegany Arts Council - General Operating Grants
This round of funding will be for General Operating Grants only, and must be used for activities,
programs, projects and operations which occur between July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023. General Operating Grants may be used to support the daily operations of arts agencies, and are intended to fill critical funding gaps which often limit arts organizations in paying professional staff, managing facilities, or pursuing capital improvements. Learn More
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs, including benefits. Funds also can be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Approved PPP Lenders | Application
Project Restore
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is administering $25 million to provide financial support to Maryland’s new or expanding businesses to help incentivize commercial investment in vacant retail and commercial properties. Grants will be administered in two categories: Rental Assistance Grant - The maximum grant request amount is $30,000 for rent for one year (rental payment up to $2,500 per month) for qualified small business with 50 or fewer employees (full time equivalents). Business Operations Grant - The maximum grant award amount is $250,000 for one or two years for businesses that generate sales and use tax. Grant funds can be used for activities and costs related to sustaining and growing the business such as staff costs, capital improvements, marketing, inventory and supplies, utilities and the like and cannot be used for executive salaries or bonuses. Learn More
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan
Long term loans provided by the federal government. Applying to this program makes you eligible for a $10,000 grant fundable within about three days of applying. Application | FAQ
State of Maryland COVID RELIEF ACT Programs
The bipartisan Relief Act of 2021 was signed into law on February 15, 2021, and includes more than $1 billion in tax relief and economic stimulus for struggling families and small businesses who are suffering as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Commerce will provide funding through new programs targeting specific groups of businesses. These include:
Webinars:
Check back regularly for opportunities.
