Serving the Southern Maryland Tri-County Area
Southern Maryland Minority Chamber of Commerce Foundation

CDN – COVID-19 Updates

By

Posted: July 31, 2020

COVID-19 Updates from the Community Development Network
Attorney General’s COVID-19 Access to Justice Task Force
Requests Extension of Moratorium on Evictions
The Attorney General COVID 19 Access to Justice Task Force sent a letter to the chief judges of the Court of Appeals and the District Court of Maryland requesting the Court extend its moratoria on eviction actions and debt collection cases until January 31, 2021. In its letter, the Task Force, citing the ongoing public health and economic crisis, requested holding the moratoria in place until the General Assembly has the opportunity to enact, and the Governor to sign, emergency legislation to assist Marylanders.
But the inequities in our economy that the COVID-19 pandemic has
exposed and exacerbated are not the unexpected by products of Adam Smith’s “invisible hand” or Chief Justice John Roberts’ neutral “umpires.”
They were codified by law and public policy years ago, and we operate in their footprints today.
Maryland Nonprofit Recovery Initiative
DHCD’s new Maryland Nonprofit Recovery Initiative (NORI) opened July 22.
The fund will assist nonprofit organizations whose critical operations
have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and state-of-emergency.
At least $30 million via DHCD to nonprofit organizations engaged in
the economic recovery, health and human services and
housing of underserved communities and populations.
Applications for these funds will be accepted as until July 31.
Please review details, FAQ, and sample questions here.
Virtual Regional Meetings around the state!
All community development nonprofits, community action agencies,
main streets, counseling organizations, and public agencies are welcome.
Please join us to share what is happening in your area.
CDN will hold meetings in each area to report on the outcome of the
General Assembly with CDN’s legislative priorities and begin discussions
for next year. Below are the dates, times for each virtual regional meeting.
Stay safe and healthy!

Wells Fargo “Open for Business” Grant – Apply Now

By

Posted: July 26, 2020

Helping entrepreneurs stay ‘Open for Business’ grant

Who can apply for the Open for Business Fund?

Nonprofits who serve businesses owned by racially and ethnically underrepresented individuals. Nonprofits that focus on lending to these businesses are eligible for the initial grant cycle.

Where do they apply?

www.wellsfargo.com/about/corporate-responsibility/community-giving

Community Development Network of Maryland is Hiring!

By

Updated: July 10, 2020

 Join our team!


Position: CDN Baltimore City Organizer
The Baltimore Organizer will work alongside the
Executive Director to lead our work in Baltimore city.
CDN is seeking an individual with experience in community organizing, community development, planning, real estate development and/or health.

 Application Materials are due July 20, 2020.
***************
About the Community Development Network of Maryland
The Community Development Network of Maryland is a member
 organization of over 180 nonprofits, small businesses, and individuals
 actively participating in community development across the state.
CDN’s purpose is to promote, strengthen, and advocate for
 the community development industry in Maryland.
CDN’s mission is to engage and strengthen Maryland’s
 community development industry and encourage
 comprehensive community development through
 advocacy, capacity building and partnerships.

Maryland Business Express: We’re Here to Help File Annual Reports & Personal Property Tax Returns

By

Updated: May 23, 2020

As you know, the 2020 deadline to submit Annual Reports and Personal Property Tax Returns has been extended until July 15, 2020.

To avoid the paper backlog, Governor Hogan and the Maryland Department of Assessments & Taxation are encouraging customers to complete transactions online. Government offices statewide remain closed to combat the spread of COVID-19 and processing of mailed-in documents will be significantly delayed this year.
The State of Maryland offers professional tax preparers a convenient online filing system through Maryland Business Express.  With our popular designee functionality, professional tax preparers can share filings electronically for client approval. The client can then choose to pay for the filing(s) or return the filing electronically to the tax preparer for payment.
Additional benefits of using Maryland Business Express include:
  • Ease: Prepare, review, approve, and submit filings directly to the Department of Assessments & Taxation within a single system. Annual Reports can be prepared for an unlimited number of businesses using a single user account.
  • Speed: Filings are submitted instantly and directly into the SDAT’s system.
  • Confidence: Receipt confirmations are received immediately after each filing is submitted.
  • Accuracy: After the first filing year, historical data is automatically displayed to ensure accuracy.
Click here when you’re ready to ready to submit your annual business filings.
Also, Maryland Business Express now offers online penalty payments so you can quickly submit past due filings and restore your good standing with the State of Maryland.
Best regards,
The Maryland Business Express team

USDA to Provide $1 Billion in Loan Guarantees for Rural Businesses and Ag Producer

By

Updated: May 23, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 22, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that the Department is making available up to $1 billion in loan guarantees to help rural businesses meet their working capital needs during the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, agricultural producers that are not eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency loans may receive funding under USDA Business & Industry (B&I) CARES Act Program provisions included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

 “Under the leadership of President Trump, USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural businesses and agricultural producers and being a strong supporter of all aspects of the rural economy,” Secretary Perdue said. “Ensuring more rural agricultural producers are able to gain access to much-needed capital in these unprecedented times is a cornerstone of that commitment.”

 In addition to expanding eligibility to certain agricultural producers, the changes Secretary Perdue announced today allow USDA to:

 

  •     Provide 90 percent guarantees on B&I CARES Act Program loans;
  •     Set the application and guarantee fee at two percent of the loan;
  •     Accept appraisals completed within two years of the loan application date;
  •     Not require discounting of collateral for working capital loans, and
  •     Extend the maximum term for working capital loans to 10 years.

 

B&I CARES Act Program loans must be used as working capital to prevent, prepare for or respond to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The loans may be used only to support rural businesses, including agricultural producers, that were in operation on Feb. 15, 2020.

USDA intends to consider applications in the order they are received. However, the Department may assign priority points to projects if the demand for funds exceeds availability.

USDA announced the expanded B&I authorities in a notice published on page 31035 of the May 22 Federal Register (PDF, 315 KB). The Department will begin accepting applications for B&I loan guarantees on May 22, 2020. Applications must be received no later than midnight Eastern Daylight Time on June 22, 2020, or until funds are expended. Program funding expires Sept. 30, 2021.

Eligible applicants may contact their local USDA Rural Development State Office in the state where the project is located.

USDA is developing application guides for lenders and borrowers on the B&I CARES Act Program. The Agency also will host two webinars to provide an overview of program requirements.

To register for the webinar on Wednesday, May 27 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, visit globalmeet.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1322642&tp_key=7a700acddd

To register for the webinar on Wednesday, June 3 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, visit globalmeetwebinar.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1324161&tp_key=6067315417

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

Click here to view this bulletin as a webpage.

MARBIDCO: Pandemic Adjustment Funding Now Available

By

Updated: May 20, 2020

Governor Hogan Announces Pandemic Adjustment   Funding for Agricultural, Forestry, and Seafood Businesses
Governor Larry Hogan announced that the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) will receive $2.2 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to help Maryland agricultural, forestry, and seafood businesses make operational adjustments caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
MARBIDCO will be using half of the funding to establish a new Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund to help Maryland’s food and fiber producers, harvesters, and primary processors make necessary adjustments in their business operations which are necessitated by the impact of the pandemic. The program will enable applicants to
receive grants for qualifying capital equipment purchases and facility upgrades for on-farm production, processing and storage, as well as wood processing and seafood processing, on the condition that these businesses are making pandemic-related
 business improvements. Grants ranging from $1,000 up to a maximum of $50,000 (or $75,000 for wood and seafood processors or agricultural cooperatives) are available up
to 80% of the eligible project cost. Applications requesting $20,000 or less will likely
have a higher priority for funding.
The other half of this relief funding will be used to continue a recently-launched
Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund program designed to help Maryland’s farmers and
other rural businesses make necessary adjustments in their business enterprises and to help diversify operations to make them more economically sustainable in light of the disruptions caused by the pandemic. Low-interest loans of up to $10,000 are available
for working capital and equipment purchases under very favorable terms.
Applications for the Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund must be submitted
by June 10. Applications for the Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund must be submitted
by June 15. Application forms for both programs and additional information is
 available on the MARBIDCO website at www.marbidco.org. For questions,
please call the office at (410) 267-6807.