Maryland Strong Economic Recovery Initiative

Maryland Strong Economic Recovery Initiative

The Maryland Department of Housing​ and Community Development (DHCD) administered over $45 million in funding for the Governor’s Maryland Strong Economic Recovery Initiative (MD-SERI). These funds supported the state’s nonprofit tourism organizations, entertainment venues, and businesses in the state’s designated Main Street Maryland communities and Baltimore City’s designated Main Street neighborhoods​.

MDSERI - Tourism Nonprofits

DHCD awarded 32 grants totaling more than $8 million to tourism nonprofits across Maryland. Grants were awarded to organizations, such as museums, cultural attractions, zoos and aquariums whose mission and work substantially contributes to the economic development and economic recovery of Maryland communities through visitor-driven activities and programs.

For more information:
Governor Hogan Announces COVID-19 Relief Grants for Major Tourism-Related Institutions​

MDSERI – Main Street

DHCD awarded $7 million in funding that will support small businesses and other economic recovery efforts in both the state- and Baltimore City-designated Main Street communities. Through this relief, more than 5,000 businesses will be eligible for support from their local Main Street program.  All of the state’s 33 designated Main Street Maryland communities and Baltimore City’s eight designated Main Street neighborhoods applied for and received awards to support their operating and capital grants to businesses in their districts.

For more information:
Governor Hogan Announces $7 Million in Emergency Relief Awards for Main Street Communities

MDSERI – Entertainment Venues

DHCD awarded more than 90 grants totaling $30 million to live music and performance venues, live entertainment promoters, and independently-owned local movie theaters whose operations have been impacted by COVID-19. These funds supported operating and capital costs and directly helped preserve more than 800 jobs at venues like the Maryland Renaissance Festival, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Rams Head Live, Royal Farms Arena, Strathmore, the Senator Theatre, and the Maryland Theatre.

For more information:
Governor Hogan Announces $30 Million in Emergency Relief for Music and Entertainment Venues​

DHCD awarded an additional 65 awards totaling $10 million for live music and performance venues and live entertainment promoters affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the Maryland Recovery Now initiative.

For more information: Governor Hogan Announces $10 Million in Relief for Live Entertainment Venues.

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