Baltimore County, MD COVID-19 Baltimore County Small Business Emergency Relief Grant Fund Program, 3 Dec 2020

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From YouTube: Deciphering Current Executive Orders: How Does this Apply to My Business?

Description

Tailored for owners and managers of Baltimore County small businesses, this webinar offers an expert look at deciphering Executive Orders and how businesses can ensure they are in compliance.
The webinar not only gives employees, business owners and managers insight on how to observe Executive Orders, but also provides an overview on loan and reimbursement opportunities businesses may be eligible for.

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Hey,, it's nice and sunny and we're glad you could join us today.

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My name is courtney brown and I'm a member of baltimore county's economic and workforce development, team.

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Again,, thank you for joining us at this time.

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We hope that this session will offer valuable guidance and useful information to help inform.

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Business owners and managers on how to.

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Create and pivot business plans in our changing covid landscape.

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We're joined today by baltimore county executive,.

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Johnny olszewski and our new director of economic and workforce development,.

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Leonard howie,, who will introduce himself and give us a little background on his experience.

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We will then hear from our excellent group of panelists.

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That will give us insight into complying with executive orders,.

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How to take advantage of dewd's economic offerings and hear from someone who has gone through that process.

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For those of you who have just joined us,, please type any questions you may have throughout.

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Our conversation into the chat feature on your screen.

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You can open up the chat by clicking on the icon located at the bottom of your screen.

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It looks a bit like a cartoon dialog bubble.

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I want to thank you to our panelists for joining us today.

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Mr. james benjamin, attorney with baltimore county, stan jacobs,.

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Chief financial officer with the department of economic and workforce development,.

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And melony wagner, owner of charles village pub.

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I'll ask each of our panelists to share their insights and recommendations with all of you.

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But first, we want to join me in welcoming baltimore county executive,, johnny olszewski.

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He's here with us today and we're looking to speak with him.

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About his position on all respects related to.

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County's covid-19 emergency response and his commitment to doing everything within.

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His power to help our baltimore county businesses make it through this crisis. Intact.

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Mr. county executive,, thank you for coming today.

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Thank you, courtney for that very kind. Introduction.

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Hello to everyone., it is a pleasure to be with you virtually today,.

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I want to thank courtney and everyone at the economic development workforce development team for all they do.

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But again, thanks for being here and for your continued investment in baltimore county,.

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We truly appreciate your commitment to our county, to our communities.

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We know that small businesses are the backbone of baltimore county.

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And we know that these times have been very difficult for our business community.

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We know that covid-19 and the pandemic is.

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Fundamentally, up ended the entire way of life, for so many of us.

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Yet, despite these challenges,, we know that our business communities and our individual businesses continue to show.

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Up and show you our resilience day in and day out.

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I want you to know that everyone here in baltimore county government is.

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Dedicated and we remain dedicated to doing whatever we can to support all of you.

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Since march, we've allocated millions of dollars to small businesses to support payrolls,.

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Make capital investments and safety equipment, and so much more.

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We will continue to do all that we can to keep our businesses safely. Open.

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As you may have heard and read, and we all know,.

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The number of cases of covid continues to rapidly accelerate,.

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Which oftentimes prompts new public health efforts at both the state and local level.

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We understand these changes can oftentimes be confusing to so many of you and to your patrons.

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That's why throughout the covid-19 pandemic, baltimore county has really strived to align with the state whenever possible.

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We've continued to advocate for any action being done at.

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The state level, because we know that a patchwork solution is not ideal.

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Patchworks create confusion,, they put businesses just miles apart on.

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Different playing fields- and they are fundamentally less effective from a public health perspective.

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By aligning with the state whenever we can,, we have consistently tried to maintain a level playing field for.

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Businesses, but all also maximizing the health impacts of any restrictions,.

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Also minimizing confusion, hopefully, for you and for our residents.

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When it comes to statewide changes on what's allowed or disallowed,.

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We often learn those details alongside all of you and the rest of the public,.

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Which is required us to quickly adapt to find the best way, forward.

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We remain committed to doing whatever is necessary to protect public health while also keeping businesses open..

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We know this is not easy for you to navigate,.

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So we're here to help talk about what the latest executive orders being for you.

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Today, I'm excited for the panel who will help learn to decipher executive orders,.

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How they impact your business.? I want to thank our business owner for actually being here and telling the story.

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Thank you, melony, for being part of that conversation to actually.

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Tell us what it's like from your perspective as well.

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Moving forward, we'll continue to advocate for statewide action to eliminate confusion wherever possible.

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And we're going to keep looking for ways to support our businesses and our families, as this pandemic stretches on.

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There's light at the end of the tunnel with a vaccine.

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But our numbers in our hospitalizations are as high as they've ever been,.

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So we have to make sure we get through this together.

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that work includes calling on congress to provide new support for state and local governments,, as well as businesses that have lost revenue and individuals. Who've lost jobs.

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This will be critical to help navigate the rest of the pandemic and to ensure a strong economic recovery.

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Because the only way we'll get through this is together.

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If there are questions afterwards,, please let us know,, you can contact businesshelp@baltimorecountymd.gov.

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Our team is here for you, our economic and workforce development team is ready to lend a hand.

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I want to end again by re-recognizing one of our newest team, members,.

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Leonard howie,, our newest director of the economic and workforce development, team.

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He officially joined us in november and brings decades of experience with him across federal, state, local governments.

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Now,, I believe his experience and knowledge is yet another critical tool and support for us as we take on this unprecedent crisis. Together.

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But thanks again for everyone for being here and thank you,.

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Leonard,, I will turn the floor over to you.

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thank you, mr. county executive for that kind. Introduction.

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Welcome everybody,, looking forward to joining you in today's webinar.

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Lot of important information out there and I'm sure.

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That our team will do the best we can to answer,.

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We'll be responsive to whatever questions you may have.

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as the county executive mentioned,. I am brand new to the team. I joined on november, 9th,, I'm extremely excited and honored to be here.

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Baltimore county is a vibrant community,.

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It has very expansive employer, base,, dedicated workforce,.

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And I look forward to bringing my experiences to bear to.

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Help us really address our mission of attracting,.

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Retaining, expanding businesses and really expanding baltimore county's economic base.

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I'm coming most recently from the united states department of labor,.

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Where I ran the office of workers, compensation programs- and I was a judge on administrative review- board.

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but more importantly, to baltimore, county,.

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I was state labor secretary for maryland for awhile and that.

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Experience brought me directly to a lot of the issues that directly face baltimore county,.

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It's businesses, and its workforce..

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I look forward to joining the team and.

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Helping to lead the efforts to make sure that our county is positioned,.

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Especially coming out of covid, one day, soon.

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Really responding to the challenges and doing everything we.

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Can to foster the economic recovery that we know is needed.

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With that,, I will turn it back over to you, courtney.

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Thank you, mr. county, executive and leonard for all that you are doing and for taking the time to be with us, today.

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I know we all know that you may have to.

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Drop off the call, but you're more than welcome to stay as long as you can be with us.

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We've gathered a group of panelists today, who we.

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Believe can offer some guidance during this time for you.

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Please remember,: we will save all questions until the end and also as a reminder,.

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Please feel free to continue to send your questions through our chat. Feature.

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We're going to start with executive orders and.

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Have a bit of a discussion with baltimore county's attorney, james benjamin.

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Thank you for being here, today, james.

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Thank you.. It is a pleasure to be with you. This afternoon.

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I'm really happy to be here,. I look forward to the discussion.

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james,. Can you break down the executive orders for us?.

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Sure., I know that deciphering executive orders can be confusing,.

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So I will try my best to make it less so.

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The state executive order allows a political subdivisions such as.

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Baltimore county to issue orders that are more restrictive in the state executive, order.

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What the county has done is issue.

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An executive order that is more restrictive as it relates to social gatherings.

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The executive order,, which I believe was issued, I think,.

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On november 23rd, 24th,.

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Brings down indoor social gatherings and outdoor social gatherings.

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Indoor social gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited,.

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And outdoor social gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited.

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What we tried to do was look at what that means;.

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What social gatherings mean for purposes of the executive, order.

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For purposes of the county's executive, order,.

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Social gatherings do not include gatherings that would be.

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At retail, establishments,, religious facilities,.

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Personal services, establishments, food service, establishments,.

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Fitness centers, gaming, facilities, racing facilities,, indoor, theaters, and outdoor entertainment venues,, as those terms are defined.. Those terms are defined in the executive, order.

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Social gatherings also do not include gatherings in.

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Outdoor recreation establishments or indoor recreation, establishments,.

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Except for those that involve or concern non-professional sports gatherings and events.

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Other than collegiate sports that have had a covid plan approved by the baltimore county department of health.

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We also tried to say what it includes,.

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And it includes but is not limited to family gatherings, parties,.

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Cookouts, parades, festivals, conventions,.

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Fundraisers, and other gatherings that are not associated with operating or patronizing a business.

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They should also include non-professional.

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Sports gatherings and events, with the exception of collegiate sports that have had a covid plan approved by the baltimore county department of health.

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My office,, the office of law,, issued interpretive guides to try to spell out a.

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Little bit more or interpret the executive order.

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In the interpretive guides,.

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We said that social gatherings would.

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Include all non-professional sports gatherings and events,.

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Except for those collegiate sports,, as I mentioned before,, and shall include high school, youth,.

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Amateur, and/or recreational sports,, tournaments, scrimmages,.

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And organized events,, including those sports, tournaments,, scrimmages,,.

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And organized events held outdoors and indoors at indoor recreation, establishments,.

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As that term is defined in executive order, 20-23,.

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Which is the most recent one that was issued. go ahead.

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I heard you mentioned the specifics for our businesses.

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I'm sure they're listening keenly and wanting to.

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Hear specifically, how and what this means for them.

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What it means is looking at the limits,.

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As far as individuals who can come to the business,, the executive, order,.

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With the exception of those that deal with non-professional sports,.

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Except for collegiate sports.

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we're looking at what is the limitation,.

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Whether it's retail establishments, religious facilities,.

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Food service, establishments, personal services, establishments,.

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Should be 50 percent of the maximum capacity.

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That is in line with the state executive, order.

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I think, it's very important to make sure that.

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The business are aware of that particular baseline,.

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And also to keep in mind when the individuals are coming,.

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This is exactly what events they are looking to do at that particular business,.

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If that's a situation where it could be considered as a sports;.

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High school, youth, amateur, or recreational sports,.

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Tournament, scrimmage or organized event that would be subject to.

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The stricter restriction of 10 indoor and 25 outdoor.

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Being cognizant of the limits,.

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I think is very important.

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Speaking on that point,, it's easy to forget these limits as they pertain to each industry or specific establishment.

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Can you help to remind our business leaders and our managers where they can.

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Find this information to stay up-to-date?.

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Sure., the link you would want to go to,.

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Www.Baltimorecountymd.Gov/Covid-19, c-o-v-I-d -19,, that's 19.,.

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That is the link where you can have access to the county's executive, order,.

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As well as the interpretive guides.

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Of course,, you may also feel free to contact our office,.

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And the number is 410-887-4420.

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Thank you very much,, james.

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I know our business is listening in today.

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appreciate this clarity.

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that number and web address will be available in our chat.

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Thank you so much, james.

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We're very grateful to have another member of.

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Our baltimore county team to help us today to unpack all of this information.

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Stanley jacobs, thank you for coming and being with us today.

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He's a member of our economic development, team.

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hi, stan. hi, courtney,, thanks for the introduction.

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What I've wanted to do is take a couple of minutes and give a little bit of an overview of what our department does and then I'll go into some of the financing options that you might have,.

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If you cannot maneuver through the banking world and government program, world.

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The department of economic development is really what I consider a business liaison.

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We help small businesses, large businesses, entrepreneurs that are starting up businesses to try to foster their growth,.

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To try to help them expand into county, and hopefully, to attract some new business in the county;.

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That's our mission in life..

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The way we do that is we help companies find locations in the county,.

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Either to lease or buy., we help them with workforce issues..

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So if you're looking for some employees or if you're looking to train existing workforce,.

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We have some training programs that might be able to assist..

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We do operate three workforce development centers throughout the county,.

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Which we help folks find employment if they need to be re-employed,.

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And we try to help match them with businesses that operate here in the county.

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We also help with zoning issues, if they pop up; permit issues..

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We really dive into virtually any issue that.

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A business might touch or having an issue with different governmental units,.

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Being federal,, state, or county. we're here to help,, so please reach out to us..

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We want to hear more about.

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The ways in which we can help from a financial standpoint as well.

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Can you share with us today a little bit about the financial and loan options?.

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Sure., the main challenge today for every business is: how do you get enough? Capital;.

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How do you affiliate your business?.

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Especially from the business community.

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What we tried to do is match businesses with.

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The appropriate program to make sure that they can obtain the capital they're looking for.

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There federal programs, there state, programs, and there county programs., most of the federal programs are administered through the local banks.

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They would be the small business administration, sba loan guarantee programs,, which can guarantee loans up to five million dollars in size,.

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That can be for working capital,.

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It can be for equipment, acquisition,, leaseholder improvements,, virtually anything..

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You would go directly to a bank for that type of assistance..

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Sba also has a direct loan program where they can help,.

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If you're buying a building or you're putting in additional to building,.

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They can help for the [inaudible] , again, with bank financing,. It's a partnership.

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-There are also some state programs that have direct loans.

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They do have direct loan capabilities..

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They can lend up to $5 million for small businesses.

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Small business is generally, any entity, that's under 500 employees,, that's by sba, definition.

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That can help borrowers that have credit issues.

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If you go to a bank and you're looking for a loan,.

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If your credit score is under 650,, a bank is just going to walk away. they're going to say,. We can't help you., but there's one entity called the latino economic development center,.

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Which can provide loans to individuals with really very weak credit.

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What they do is they'll start you out with a small loan,, try to build your credit backup, and then hopefully, one day you'll be able to get back into the banking world.

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That tip is very helpful [overlapping], as businesses are shifting and making changes,.

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Knowing where they can go to strengthen their credit will be important.

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Can you tell me, since there is a universe of potential resources for.

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These small businesses, where they can find more information or how to apply for all the programs that you were speaking of?.

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Well,, the county programs generally,, you would just go to our baltimorecounty.md.gov site and go.

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Into our economic development segments of the site.

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You can then see our loan programs,.

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Which we do operate, several direct loan programs that can lend up to 250,000 for working capital,.

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Real estate acquisition and leaseholder improvements., it's really across the board., then for state programs. You can go to the maryland department of commerce, site,.

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That would be the most direct route to get to., but if you have any questions, feel free to send me an email, call or email, our business helpline and we'll certainly direct you in the right place.

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Can you tell me just a little bit about our process,.

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The huge process department of economic and workforce development,.

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If there is interest in a particular loan program that they see at our site.

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Sure., our programs tend to be use with bank financing because we have limited capital.

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But basically there's an application: process.

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we have an inquiry form which is the initial step into our department,.

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And then I'll reply back to everyone that makes.

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An inquiry to determine what their need is and then determine.

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Whether it's something that we are able to help with or whether I need to redirect it.

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To a another program, be federal, state, or county.

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The easiest thing to do would be to just hit the inquiry,.

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And I can understand what your business is, which are.

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Looking for and then I can guide your appropriately.

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Generally,, it goes to a loan committee.

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once it's approved,, we issue a commitment letter and then we go to funding somewhere down the line.

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-If they forget the web address,.

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They can always email business, help.

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At baltimorecounty.md.gov and you'll be waiting to respond to their questions.

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-Absolutely. I'll look forward to it.

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≫Thank you so much, stan,.

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For providing all that information to us and providing us.

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With a means to understand a bit more about the process.

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You're welcome., we know that at these times, financial opportunities can make a big difference for our local community.

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We appreciate that you're at the ready to help and to provide parity.

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Keeping that in mind, I'd like to introduce melony wagner,.

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A local baltimore county business, owner.

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She is the owner of charles village pub,, a local restaurant that has gone through the process of.

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Working with our economic development team to receive assistance.

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Hi, melony., thank you for joining us today.

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Hi,, how are you? great. we're anxious and excited to hear what you have to share with us.

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About your experience with receiving assistance from economic and workforce development.-.

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Just hearing about the overall process of applying and receiving those funds,.

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Anything you can offer us in that realm.

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Sure. I applied and received two grants from the county,.

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The small business reimbursement grant,.

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Which was $10,000 and the small business restaurant reimbursement grant, which was $15,000 thousand, and I got my check today.

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Congratulations. [laughter] perfect day to talk to you. very excited to get that.

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Great. basically, the grants are to reimburse restaurants for some of.

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The additional costs of trying to stay open during covid.

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We've all spent a ton of money on trying to.

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Convert [noise] outdoor spaces for more seating, furniture,.

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And plants [noise] and lighting, umbrellas, outdoor heaters,, let's see,.

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Tents and then the amount of money spent which surprise people.

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A lot money spent on gloves, sanitizer,.

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Masks, all those extra cleaning products.

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it is enormous.. It is an enormous amount of money.. The grants really were great to help reimburse for those extra expenses.

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Sales are down, and then expenses are up.

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You spoke about the check that you received today,.

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Your award check that you receive today and you referenced the previous check that you received..

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How is this going to impact or provide you some relief.

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In your regular operating with your business?.

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It definitely helps.

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I, obviously, have been trying to apply for anything that I qualify. For.

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I think, based on location,, some restaurants are probably doing maybe better than normal.

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But I think in towson most of us are dying, a slow death.

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County buildings are closed,, all of our big corporate offices are closed.

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I used to do a lot of work with stanley, black and decker.

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Without all of those employees, here,.

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I think most places in towson and I think have really suffered.

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It's been great to have the grant.

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So the dollars are helping to relieve some of.

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That pressure from the shifts that have resulted in the impact of covid?.

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Right. okay., thank you for offering that.

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Is there anything unique that you're trying with the dollars to bring.

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Some energy into your business during this challenging time, opportunity, time?.

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I like to talk about with issues like this.

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Obviously, people are scared to go to restaurants.

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So we had started more like some family dinner type things where.

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People could pick up and choose either for two people or four people.

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In the beginning of covid, that was going really well., then in the summer, we had more people actually coming out and maybe picking up things themselves.

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But I'm starting to see that happen again where people are picking up dinner for the family or something.

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great.. I can see as you're explaining it,.

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How some of the relief funds can help support the creation of these ideas or help you.

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Provide some income to have staff do this for you.

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Right. well,, these two grants are.

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Specifically, to reimburse for expenses we already incurred.

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You had already incurred for.

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But it still goes to the bank account and then you have money to do other things.

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It's about shifting things, around.

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Can you talk to the businesses out there and provide some,? I guess,.

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Support on them coming to the department of economic development having conversations about what the team can do for them?.

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I would say, it's probably intimidating for some people,.

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And it's an easy process., but some people,, especially my husband,, would never be able to get on the computer and handle that,.

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And get his paperwork submitted and things like that..

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I would encourage, if you're having any questions, just send the email.

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And I know people don't like doing that because they feel like they're, not going to get an answer., but I have found the response time. Incredibly, fast, like.

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Absolutely, the same day and a lot of times, like 15 minutes later,, my question is answered., so I would encourage people.

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it's a little bit of paperwork,, but it's really not bad. to go ahead and apply for everything. Available.

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All they can say is no, or they maybe run out first,, but they're replenishing some of the funds..

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So if you didn't qualify the first time around,.

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Your name will still be there if the funds get replenished down, the road.

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This is great because you're providing three bits of information.

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Some nuggets,, if you will. first of all,, ask the question,, send the e-mail, and then apply for everything.

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Stay in touch with your community,, your resources,.

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So that you know what's happening,, what's being promoted in terms of programs.

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three, fill out, the paperwork.

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it'll take a little bit of time, but you'll benefit in the end.

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right.. That's what I hear you saying.

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I've been very impressed with the speed with which baltimore county has.

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Been able to handle these requests and things like that.

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That's been surprising.. I was expecting to wait a lot longer on some of these things and really,.

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The funds were here very quickly.

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Can you share with us, if you will,.

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Have you taken advantage of any non-covid loans through the department?.

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There is a boost loan and I've worked with stan on that in the past.

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I haven't taken advantage of it during covid.

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Honestly,, I'm a little afraid of how much debt I'm getting.

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I don't want to get into too much debt..

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We already had to take out the eidl federal loan.

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We've taken out the paycheck protection loan,.

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Which I believe some will be forgiven,, but we don't know.

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I've held off on that because I'm just afraid of more debt.

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Although the grants and things have helped,.

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We're operating at a loss, every single day.

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We're still operating at a loss., I do think it is location dependent..

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I have friends further out in the county, they're doing better.

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They're doing more business this year than they've ever done. Before, because there's not 100 places around them., but I think here,, especially in the densely populated areas,, I'm sure [inaudible] isn't the only one.

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Some of these places,, I'm sure, have the same issue,, but I would say, most of us are just operating at a loss. Every single day.

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You don't know: what's coming around the corner., it's like the waiting game.. It's just waiting to see what will happen.

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That's what speaks to your point about apply for all that you can.

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You shared with us a little bit about working with stan in the past on boost.

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What were you able to use with boost funds?.

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Do you recall that?, I do.

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I believe this is years ago.. It was a boost loan.

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We own the property next to us.

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Okay. stan, correct me: if I'm getting this wrong.

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we're a majority female owned.

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So we qualified for that loan and it gave us a nice interest. Rate.

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The boost loan is nice because it helps small business people that maybe don't have the deep pockets that.

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Some people do invest in the community.

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And therefore generate revenue right here in our community.

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The taxes are going right back to the community and so forth.

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Wow, melanie, you've been a wealth of information,.

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We're talking grants, we're talking boost loans., we can mix it up and just share. What's really out there and what's possible.

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If you're able to be a bit creative and a little bit, patient,.

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But committed to wanting to keep your business alive and to work with us.

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Thank you, very, very much for your time. Today.

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I'm sure a lot of our listeners appreciate your perspective.

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And hearing about your real business, realities.

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Thank you again. thank you. now,. I would like to use the time to open it up for.

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Any questions that anyone has been sitting on.

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Hey, stan,, I wanted to turn it back to you.

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I had a question: come up about licenses.

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What can our businesses do if they have licensing questions.

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Or are needing to deal with any regulatory issues? How can they talk through those things?.

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How can they receive any guidance?

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again, they can reach out to us through our business help e-mail,.

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And we can either place a call.

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Over to the clerk of the court, who handles most of the licensing.

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We can also refer them over to our small business resource center,.

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Where they have a lot of experience in different licensing,.

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And processes, and the like., I would say just reach out to us through business help.

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At baltimorecountymd.gov,, right?.

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That's right. okay.. Do they need anything in order to start.

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A conversation with you like a business plan or.

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To start a conversation with our small business office?.

A

Well,, if you're applying for a loan,.

E

We certainly would need a business plan if it's a startup.

E

If you've been in business less than two years,, we would like a business plan.. A bank would also require a business plan or a small business resource center can.

E

Help individual entrepreneurs develop that plan.

E

That's a free service from the county.

E

if you're a startup, thinking about starting a business,.

E

I would reach out to us: again, small business resource center would be the source of information and support for that early stage. Enterprise.

E

Then, once you get into the financing side,, then it would come again back to me.

E

business plans. They are, and I would review it., make sure the numbers make sense.. Then again, try to piece some financing together from multiple.

A

Between you and our small business office,.

A

You'll talk through business plan,, maybe marketing plan.

A

Could they also answer any questions about filing tax forms,, establishing trade names?.

A

Yeah. we can help with all those things. absolutely.

A

okay. thank you.. I know that this may be a difficult question to get a definitive on from you,.

A

But how would a business qualify even for a loan?.

A

I mean, is it going to vary based on the individual's credit rating?.

A

I guess where I'm getting at is the package.

A

What's a part of that package to qualify?.

A

Well, the first thing that we look and.

E

Any bank would look at is the personal credit score.

A

Okay. that's step one.

E

The first thing you want to do is make sure you've got pretty decent credit before you go to apply anywhere.

E

Again,, if you have weaker credit,, the latino economic development center would be the place to go.

E

You don't have to be latino to apply there.

E

they'll accept any applications., so you don't have to be latino,, even though that's in their name. okay.. The second thing would be, if you're a startup,, that's the hardest financing to obtain,.

E

If you have no track record., most people use family,.

E

Friends, not even borrow money.

E

It's like an equity investment in the startup.

E

But we have done some startups for well-established individuals.

E

That have great management experience or business experience,.

E

And trying to start up their own enterprise, but startups are a challenge..

E

If you're an existing business,, the cashflow of your business is really going to drive how much you can borrow.

E

If you have a track, record, you've been profitable,. Those are easier to manage.

E

Then we're going to look at what you're using the money for.

E

Are you buying a building? if you're buying a building,, that's obviously collateral,?

E

So it's unsecured, and that's a little bit easier to maneuver through.

A

A startup and boost,.

A

Is that an easy fit?

A

that depends again? again,? It depends on the management team,.

E

The ownership structure, and what they're bringing on the table.

E

With a startup,, it's challenging.

E

But if there's some collateral,, maybe a personal residence that has some equity, or maybe they have some personal guarantors that have a little bit of financial strength,.

E

We can try to work through that and we've been pretty successful in doing that.

E

Okay., if everyone's hearing out there,.

A

You have unique issues based on your financial situation of your business right, now,.

A

You'll want to e-mail businesshelpbaltimorecountymd.gov to craft a specific question for stan.

A

Perhaps he can e-mail, you back or call you back.

A

And so you guys can talk about potential next steps.

A

Thank you, stan.. I had a question coming in.

A

Concerning the executive orders and businesses remaining open.

A

The question is,: can my business remain open if it was.

A

Not specifically closed by the governor's executive, order?.

A

I think that's intended for you james, unless, stan,.

A

You have a [laughter] notion on this question. [laughter].

A

I think I'll leave that one to james.

E

Okay. you're too kind, stan. [laughter].

E

If there isn't anything in the executive order.

D

That requires the business to be closed,.

D

Then it's reasonable to think that it would be able to be.

D

Open subject to the restriction,.

D

If any, with regard to occupancy.

D

It depends on the specific type of business.

D

okay. again, that may be a one-on-one type of question.

A

They could give you a call. sure.. Could you repeat that number for us? sure. 410-887-4420.

D

People can also feel free to e-mail me..

D

My e-mail is jrbenjamin@baltimorecountymd.gov.

D

A

His work e-mail available for you-all.

A

But he's here to help and to make sure that things are clear.

A

I had one more question for you, james. sure.. What if my business provide personal services to people at their private homes,.

A

Outdoors, or other noncommercial property?.

A

That's a good question.

D

I think that it would depend on a couple of things.

D

One,, the specific permit that was given for the business.

D

Okay., I think also, two,. It would be helpful if there are any concerns to perhaps reach.

D

Out to the department of permits and inspections to see.

D

Whether or not there may be limitations or restrictions as to the permit.

D

It would depend on the size of the home.

D

A lot of different factors can come into play..

D

I think they would be helpful to look at the permit, and then depending on who issued it to reach out to the state or to the county.

D

We had a question,.

A

Just come in, concerning sports.

A

There's some confusion,, I think, related to sports,.

A

Club sports, things like that.

A

do private club sports,?

A

Are they not allowed to practice?.

A

Like I said, there's some confusion between what club sports are.

A

Allowed to do and what other non-club sports are allowed to do.

A

Well, under the executive order and the interpretive guidance,.

D

Social gatherings would include high school,, youth, amateur, and/or recreational sports,.

D

Tournament, scrimmages, and organized events.

D

It would seem that club sports would fall within those parameters.

D

If there are additional questions,, I'm happy to discuss them.

D

Feel free to give me a call,. You can e-mail me. happy to discuss if there are further questions.

D

But it would appear that club sports would.

D

Fall within the parameters of the executive order and the interpretive guidance.

D

One thing I should also add with regard to the executive order,.

D

The executive order that was issued,, I think it was november 24th,- is in effect for 45 days.

D

It's something that it's not indefinite,, it's a finite amount of time. essentially,. It gets through the holiday season,.

D

And so it would be effective,. I think, through january, 8th of 2021.

D

Of course,, depending on how things are with covid,,.

D

It may need to be extended,, but it's just important for the business owners to.

D

Be aware that it's in effect for 45 days.,.

D

Thank you for providing that clarity in regards to the timeframe,.

A

Because I know that there are being some questions about, why is this perpetual.

A

Will we ever be clear of the restrictions and the capacity limits, and things like that?.

A

Thank you for giving us that breakdown.

A

Thank you so much, james.

D

Very welcome. melony,, we didn't forget about you.

A

There is a question: that's coming for you as well.

A

We had a few businesses wanting to hear about lessons that you've learned as an owner during covid,.

A

Would you do anything different?.

A

Are there new things that you would like to try?.

A

Lessons I have learned.

F

[Laughter], this is a tricky one.

A

Well,, you have to adapt.

F

You have to be willing to think outside of the box and adapt,.

F

And go with the flow.

F

Honestly,, it's really been a very difficult situation,.

F

Probably one of the worst things I've ever been through,.

F

Especially when you love your business and you've owned it for a long time,.

F

And it's more than just a business,, it's part of the family and things.

F

I feel like I did as much as I could.

F

There was one or two things I did miss out on in the beginning,.

F

Because I didn't apply for them in the first week.

F

I think that was march 23rd,.

F

And I missed that $10,000 grant.

F

I forget what it was now. through the county,.

A

The small business emergency relief, grant,.

A

Is that what you're referring?.

F

That's the one that I actually got. Later.

F

I did end up getting that one later,, but the loan., so I missed out [overlapping]. the loan.. I guess I thought that the money would be there.

A

Would be there. what I learned from that is to apply immediately. [overlapping].

F

Apply soon and make sure to submit the application.

A

Don't just create it, but submit it. right. well,. Thank you for your candor, and just sharing with us. Your own experience,, because hearing someone else's experience can teach us what we should do. Better.

F

If anyone wants to maybe get a group of restaurant owners, together,.

F

I would be happy to do something like that, because I do think we have a somewhat unique business.

F

Absolutely, experience. [overlapping].

A

I'm not downplaying and saying other places are not hurting,.

F

But I definitely think we have a unique situation..

F

Right. closing down is not a very good option because of the staff.

F

Trying to restart and reopen would be really hard.

F

I think possibly baltimore county could maybe benefit from specifically hearing.

F

From some restaurants of some things that could be more beneficial.

F

Well,, thank you for that. Tip.

A

I think we have a bunch of ears listening,.

A

You may be contacted, right?

A

[laughter] thank you, melony,, so much. thank you. stan,. I have another question for you.

A

A participant has asked,.

A

Are there determining factors as to how much an individual can get funding-wise,.

A

Based on how they file their business, I.e.,.

A

Sole proprietorship, llc,, hair salon,.

A

Versus an art, gallery?.

E

It really doesn't make any difference. What type of corporate structure you have.

E

The real bottom line, is,, what's your profitability?.

E

What can you cover in debt, service?.

E

How much can you pay a month?? We need to be comfortable that you can repay the loan, because it is a loan.

E

We're looking at what your profitability is,, what your cash flow is, and what you can service monthly comfortably.

E

That really doesn't matter.

A

Okay., thank you so much for providing that clarification.

A

Sure. all right., thank you all for joining us. Today.

A

I thank our panelists for their time.

A

in the interest of time,. We want to respect everybody in their next steps after today.

A

If you have any questions and we couldn't get to you,.

A

Or you would like to work with a member of our business team,.

A

Please e-mail us directly at businesshelp@baltimorecountymd.gov,.

A

Or go to our website, baltimorecountybusiness.com.

A

Thank you for joining us. good luck.

A

please,. Everyone continue to stay safe and mask up.

A

Bye. thank you.

D

Bye bye. [noise].