Our friends at Anne Arundel Workforce Development have notified us of the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund established by the Maryland Department of Labor.
Here is the link for more information. An excerpt is below
https://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/covidlafund.shtml
Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Department of Labor have launched the new COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, which is designed to support businesses undergoing economic stresses due to the pandemic by preventing or minimizing the duration of unemployment resulting from layoffs. The award (up to $50,000 per applicant), will be a quick deployable benefit and customizable to the specific needs of your business to minimize the need for layoffs.
Labor is accepting grant applications from small businesses for awards from now through 30 days after the State of Emergency ends (subject to funding availability).
How can it help me?
- ✔ Providing funds to cover the cost of purchasing remote access (ex. computers, printers, etc.) equipment to allow employees to work remotely from home versus being laid off;
- ✔ Providing funds to cover the cost of purchasing software or programs that an employee would need to use from home;
- ✔ Supporting businesses that take advantage of the Unemployment Insurance Work Sharing Program by supplementing the employee’s income and benefits;
- ✔ Providing funds to cover the costs of cleaning/sanitization services so that small businesses are able to keep employees at work on site, but only if a frequent deep cleaning to prevent exposure occurred;
- ✔ Paying for liability insurance for restaurants that convert to delivery while under emergency circumstances;
- ✔ Providing funds for training or professional development opportunities for employees to avoid layoffs; and
- ✔ Adopting other creative approaches and strategies to reduce or eliminate the need for layoffs in the small business community.
NOTE: This funding is not for rent or employee wages (unless approved for Unemployment Insurance Work Sharing participation).
