1 North Charles Street, Suite 707
Baltimore, MD 21202
Maryland Minority Business Development Agency – Coronavirus Response and Relief Act Program
Minority Business Development Agency – Maryland Business Center
Location
Owner/Client
U.S. Department of Commerce,
Minority Business Development Agency
CARES Act Program
Under the Trump administration the U.S. Department of Commerce provided $10 million in CARES Act funding to the network of MBDA Business Centers and national minority chambers of commerce. L. S. Caldwell & Associates, owner/operator of the Maryland MBDA Business Center successfully facilitated the Maryland CARES Act Program from June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021.
Maryland Coronavirus Response and Relief Act Program
As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, under the Biden administration, Congress authorized $25 million for the “Minority Business Development Centers Program” to assist minority business enterprises with prevention, preparation for, and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistance was provided by identifying and accessing local, state, and federal government assistance and by supporting business growth through exporting, manufacturing, and federal contracting initiatives. The Maryland MBDA Business Center, operating under L. S. Caldwell & Associates, was one of 28 states chosen for the second award period from July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022.
The Maryland MBDA Business Center successfully aided MBEs impacted by COVID-19 by offsetting business expenses that fall within the Maryland Coronavirus Response and Relief Act Program goals and services, as well as assisted MBEs in pivoting to sustainable business models that meet market demands.
Project Goals:
Provide Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) who have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with training, education, advisory and supportive services including:
- Assistance with applications for access to federal funds related to capital and business resiliency.
- Hazards and prevention of the transmission and communication of COVID–19 and other communicable diseases.
- Identifying potential effects of COVID–19 on the supply chains, distribution, and sale of products of minority business enterprises and the mitigation of those effects.
- Management and practice of telework to reduce possible transmission of COVID–19, and the management and practice of remote customer service by electronic or other means.
- Identification and mitigation of the risks of cyber threats in remote customer service or telework practices.
- Mitigation of the effects of reduced travel or outside activities on minority business enterprises during COVID–19 or similar occurrences.
- Other relevant business practices necessary to mitigate the economic effects of COVID–19 or similar occurrences.
- Identification and funding provided for unique circumstances resulting from COVID-19.
