What's New This Week?
New Baltimore City Small Business Initiatives
Mayor Young recently announced several programs administered by the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) to assist small businesses.
- The Manufacturing and Procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) program will provide grants to Baltimore manufacturers to produce (PPE) such as masks, gloves and medical gowns.
- Under the Neighborhood Business Reopening Initiative, BDC will oversee redesigns of public spaces and businesses to develop and implement redesigns to create more space for social distancing.
- The Small Business Support Fund will provide up to $15,000 in grants to small businesses in certain commercial areas. More information on eligibility and how to apply will be available on BaltimoreTogether.com by May 4, 2020.
Paycheck Protection Program
The federal Paycheck Protection Program is reopening today, April 27th! Congress has allocated new funding for this forgivable small business loan program. Small business owners with social security numbers are eligible to apply. You can apply for this program online through Lendistry’s online portal. Lendistry is working on making the portal available in languages other than English.
The Latino Economic Development Center can also help Spanish speaking small business owners apply for the Paycheck Protection Program.
Water Billing
Water Billing will resume on May 8th, and bills may be larger than usual since they will include part of March and all of April. No late fees will be charged and there will be no cut offs for lack of payment. Residents can apply for a 43% discount on water and sewage costs and waiver of the Bay Restoration and Storm Water Remediation fees through the BH20 program. You can also download the paper application here, and complete applications should be mailed to: ATTN: BH20 Processing Unit P.O. Box 22586, Baltimore, MD 21203, or emailed to BCCAPBH20@baltimorecity.gov.
Currently the BH20 application is only available in English, but MIMA is working on an alternative for speakers of other languages. We hope to have an update soon.
Sidewalk Grab-and-go Pantries
City Schools is partnering with World Central Kitchen to provide frozen prepared meals at 10 school locations on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 2pm. Meals are available for all city residents, and families can take up to 7 meals for each person in their household. You do not have to have a child who attends the school in order to pick up meals. Find the list of participating schools here.
- Wednesdays, 10am - 2pm: Vanguard Collegiate Middle School, Edgewood Elementary School, Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle School, Fort Worthington Elementary/Middle School, Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School
- Fridays, 10am – 2pm: Highlandtown Elementary/Middle School #237, Southwest Baltimore Charter School, Harford Heights Elementary School, Sarah M. Roach Elementary School, Elmer A. Henderson: A Johns Hopkins Partnership School (12pm-2pm)
Unemployment Insurance
The Department of Labor has launched a new unemployment website. New applications can be submitted Tuesday through Saturday. Weekly benefits claims requests must be submitted on Sundays and Mondays. Workers with social security numbers who have lost their jobs, including independent contractors and gig workers, are eligible to apply.
MIMA Coronavirus Website
MIMA's website has been updated with multilingual information on economic resources, health information, food assistance, schools and child care, and city services as related to COVID-19.
MIMA's Baltimore City COVID-19 Nonprofit/Organization Survey
MIMA is working to serve as a source of information for New Americans in Baltimore City during COVID-19. Non-profit organizations and services providers who work with immigrant populations are encouraged to fill out this survey to determine service levels.
Economic Relief
See MIMA’s website for more information on small business relief, utilities, unemployment insurance and housing protections.
Multilingual Volunteers to Assist Small Business Owners
If the spread of COVID-19 has affected your business, please fill out this survey from the Baltimore Development Corporation to help connect you to resources that can help! Do you need help filling out the survey? If so, please text MIMA at 443-408-8380 with the following information: name, phone number and the best time to reach you. A MIMA volunteer will contact you to help you with the form.
Small Businesses
- Small businesses affected by COVID-19 can apply for the Emergency Injury Disaster Loan program and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to receive affordable or forgivable loans. Baltimore City small business owners can apply for PPP through Lendistry or through the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC).
- The US Chamber of Commerce just launched a grant for small businesses with 5 to 20 employees, and you can apply here.
- The Small Business Support Fund administered by the Baltimore Development Corporation will provide up to $15,000 in grants to small businesses in certain commercial areas. More information on eligibility and how to apply will be available on BaltimoreTogether.com by May 4, 2020.
- Please note that the Maryland Grant and Loan programs are no longer accepting applications.
Resources Available Regardless of Immigration Status
Tips for Essential Workers
Baltimore City recently released the below tips for essential workers. This guidance is available in multiple languages (Spanish, French, Korean, Mandarin, & Arabic) on MIMA's website.
Health and Human Services
Esperanza Center Coronavirus Health Hotline
If you do not have a doctor and you are experiencing symptoms related to coronavirus/COVID-19, you can call Esperanza Center’s team of medical professionals in English and Spanish at 667-600-2314.
Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Site at Pimlico
Residents will need to bring a referral from a doctor for a test. If you do not have a doctor or health insurance, call 211 to be referred to a clinic. If you do not drive, a doctor can send you to another site to be tested. Testing for coronavirus is not considered in public charge decisions.
Resources for Victims of Abuse and Assault
Things are more stressful than usual. If you’re experiencing abuse or assault, there are organizations ready to help.
211 Call Center
211 is now accepting calls in over 150 languages using telephonic interpretation to recommend next-steps if you think you have or have been exposed to coronavirus, including connecting you with a clinic if you do not have health insurance of a primary care provider.
COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund
Greater Baltimore Area foundations have created a streamlined opportunity for nonprofit organizations to apply for funding to sustain, deepen, or pivot their operations to address critical needs in local communities resulting from the pandemic. Apply at greaterbaltimorecovidresponse.org.
Baltimore CIty Schools will be closed until May 15th.
See MIMA’s Coronavirus website for more information on schools and child care.
See MIMA’s Coronavirus website for more information on food distribution.
City Services and Government Announcements
Refer to the graphic below & MIMA’s website for City Service updates.
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Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs
100 N. Holliday Street, Room 250
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-396-8056 |
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