Calvert County Small Business Assistance Grant Fund

The Calvert County Small Business Assistance Grant Fund is now closed. For those who have applied, we will be in contact as we process applications to inform you of the status of your application.

The Calvert County Small Business Assistance Grant Fund is designed to help small local businesses grow and strengthen their existing businesses that are currently in operation in Calvert County. Grants will be available for up to $50,000.

Grant funding must be used for expenses that expand the visibility and sustainability of the business. Examples of allowable uses include but are not limited to: 

  • Purchase of expanding and/or new inventory offerings
  • Workforce training and development
  • Capital Improvement Projects
  • Hiring new employees
  • Website development and/or improvements
  • Business expansion costs
  • Other costs associated with investing in the growth of the business

Ineligible Costs:

  • Purchase of alcohol, tobacco, vaping or related items
  • Paying off existing debts or loans
  • Rent/mortgage payments

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants must:

  • Be a for-profit business located in Calvert County, MD, 
  • Be a legally-recognized business in good standing with the State of Maryland as determined by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT),
  • Be current on all county tax liabilities (paid in full),
  • Be in operation for at least two years and making positive revenue,
    • Note: If your business is not making positive revenue, you are still eligible to apply. However, you will be required to provide justification explaining why your business is not making positive revenue.  
  • Have a minimum of 2 employees but not more than 100

Ineligible applicants include:

  • Nonprofit entities- [501(c)(3), 501(c)(6) or 501(c)(19)]
  • 1099 Independent Contractors 
  • Corporate-owned franchises or chain entities 

To Apply

All applicants must submit the following information to apply for the fund:

  • Completed online application,
  • A project narrative that provides a detailed explanation of how the funds will be used if awarded,
  • Last two years of business tax returns filed (first two pages only),
  • Copy of business licenses if required by the business,
  • Most recent W-9 (page 1),
  • Most recent 941 Form that shows the numbers of employees.

Applications will be reviewed based on a point system with the following taken into consideration:

  • Business need
  • Job creation/revenue growth potential 
  • Business viability and the likelihood of permanence
  • Project narrative

Please note, this is a competitive grant program and applications will be awarded until all funds are exhausted. 

For more information, please review the Small Business Assistance Grant Fund FAQs (PDF).

For questions, please email grant@calvertcountymd.gov or call the Department of Economic Development at 410-535-4583.