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

• 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.

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.

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Everything you Ever Wanted to Know on Southern MD Non-profits – A great resource here locally, please visit this link for resources available to our non-profit community in Southern MD, courtesy of the cool people at the Nonprofit Institute at the CSM. https://www.csmd.edu/community/institutes/nonprofit-institute/

Tools to help you open or prepare to open your business – CDC Cleaning and Disinfecting Guide for Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools and Homes

Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting pdf icon[PDF – 9 pages]

Cleaning & Disinfecting Decision Tool pdf icon[PDF – 2 pages]

Back to Business

Updates and best practices for Maryland’s companies reopening in correlation with the COVID-19 outbreak. https://open.maryland.gov/backtobusiness/ 

Checklists for Reopening Business – from Workest – One of the most important parts of your business’ reopening strategy will be consumer confidence. Free checklists offer guidance to help make returning to work safe for your customers and employees. Read more

How to Talk to Employees Reluctant to Return to Work – from Workest – As states begin to allow businesses to reopen, small businesses are faced with a new problem — employees who are reluctant to return to work.

Everything you Ever Wanted to Know on Southern MD Non-profits – A great resource here locally, please visit this link for resources available to our non-profit community in Southern MD, courtesy of the cool people at the Nonprofit Institute at the CSM. https://www.csmd.edu/community/institutes/nonprofit-institute/

Tools to help you open or prepare to open your business – CDC Cleaning and Disinfecting Guide for Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools and Homes

Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting pdf icon[PDF – 9 pages]

Cleaning & Disinfecting Decision Tool pdf icon[PDF – 2 pages]

Back to Business

Updates and best practices for Maryland’s companies reopening in correlation with the COVID-19 outbreak. https://open.maryland.gov/backtobusiness/

Checklists for Reopening Business – from Workest – One of the most important parts of your business’ reopening strategy will be consumer confidence. Free checklists offer guidance to help make returning to work safe for your customers and employees. Read more

How to Talk to Employees Reluctant to Return to Work – from Workest – As states begin to allow businesses to reopen, small businesses are faced with a new problem — employees who are reluctant to return to work.

LinkedIn & The New Modern Sales Strategy  – May 18 2020 2:00 pm | 45 mins
Scott Ingram, The Sales Success Expert & guest, Jake Dunlap will talk about how to fully leverage LinkedIn as a core part of the new Modern Sales Strategy.

Create Standout Proposals that Win in Professional Services – May 18 2020 4:00 pm | 45 mins. Presented by Amy Franko, The Strategic Sales Expert – The vast majority of proposals aren’t effective at winning new business, especially in highly competitive situations. Why? Tune in to find out.

LinkedIn & The New Modern Sales Strategy  – May 18 2020 2:00 pm | 45 mins
Scott Ingram, The Sales Success Expert & guest, Jake Dunlap will talk about how to fully leverage LinkedIn as a core part of the new Modern Sales Strategy.

Create Standout Proposals that Win in Professional Services – May 18 2020 4:00 pm | 45 mins. Presented by Amy Franko, The Strategic Sales Expert – The vast majority of proposals aren’t effective at winning new business, especially in highly competitive situations. Why? Tune in to find out.