FY 2025 SMALL BUSINESS MARKETING GRANT RECIPIENTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY IN FY 2026.
Purpose:
The Small Business Marketing Grant Program is designed to assist local small for-profit, non-agriculture businesses in Garrett County, Maryland, by helping fund marketing and promotional efforts that improve visibility, attract new customers, and grow business operations.
Grant Overview:
- Maximum Grant Amount: $1,000
- Required Match: Minimum of 10% of the total project cost
- Grant Type: Reimbursement only — purchases must be made after written grant approval and within specified timelines.
- Taxable Income: Grant awards are taxable as income. Grant recipients will received a 1099 at the end of the calendar year in which the grant was awarded.
Eligibility Requirements:
Eligible applicants must meet all the following criteria:
- Be a for-profit, non-agricultural business with a physical location in Garrett County, Maryland.
- Have 25 or fewer employees.
- Be a registered business in good standing with the State of Maryland and Garrett County Government.
- Hold a current business license, if one is required for your business type.
Ineligible applicants include:
- Home-based businesses
- Independent contractors
- National franchises and chains (unless locally owned and operated)
- Non-profit organizations
- Religious organizations
- Agriculture-based businesses and organizations
Eligible Marketing Expenses:
- Website development or redesign (including e-commerce integration)
- Digital marketing (e.g., social media ads, Google ads)
- Print advertising (e.g., newspaper, magazines, mailers)
- Radio or television advertising
- Graphic design for branding or promotions
- Signage, banners, or other promotional materials
Ineligible expenses include:
- Items or services purchased before grant approval
- Sponsorships
- Marketing materials created in-house
- Marketing materials purchased from another company owned by the applicant or the applicant’s owners
- Operating expenses not directly tied to marketing
- Salaries or wages
- Travel, meals, or entertainment
- Personal or household expenses
- Employee uniforms
- Equipment purchases
- Any other expenses not listed in “Eligible Marketing Expenses” above
Program Rules and Requirements:
- Applicant must submit a completed application (including a completed and signed IRS W-9 form and vendor information request form) and receive written grant approval before making any purchases. The application, IRS W-9 form, and vendor information form must reflect the same mailing address. Incomplete applications will be denied.
- All approved marketing purchases must be completed within 30 days of written grant approval. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of the grant.
- Proof of purchases (itemized receipts/invoices) and payments (credit card receipts or fronts/backs of canceled checks) must be submitted within 30 days of written grant approval. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of the grant.
- Grant funds will be disbursed as a reimbursement after documentation is received and verified, and only if all grant requirements are met.
- An applicant is not eligible for multiple awards during any given fiscal year.
- Grant funds are subject to availability of funds.
- Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The grant program for any given fiscal year will close once available grant funds have been exhausted.
- FY 2025 Small Business Marketing Grant recipients are not eligible to apply in FY 2026.
Application Process:
- Submit Application
- Describe marketing materials to be purchased.
- Provide cost estimates or vendor quotes.
- Document at least 10% matching funds.
- Include a detailed summary of all employees (e.g., employees’ names, job titles, and average number of hours worked per week).
- Include business license (if required) and verification of good standing from the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.
- Include completed and signed IRS W-9 form.
- Include completed Vendor Information Request form (applicant is the vendor).
- Review and Approval
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Applicants will be notified in writing of approval status.
- Make Approved Purchases
- Purchases must be made within 30 days of written grant approval. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of the grant.
- Submit Documentation
- Submit proof of purchases (itemized invoices/receipts) and payments (credit card receipts or fronts/backs of canceled checks) for reimbursement within 30 days of written grant approval. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of the grant.
- Receive Reimbursement
- Reimbursement will be provided for approved expenses only up to 90% of $1,000.
Application Documents:
Document FY 2026 SMALL BUSINESS MARKETING GRANT APPLICATION & GUIDELINES (269.4 KB)
Document IRS W-9 FORM (92.54 KB)
Document VENDOR INFORMATION REQUEST FORM (63.01 KB)
Contact Information:
Kim Durst, Manager of Business Development, Garrett County Department of Business Development
PH: (301) 334-1992 | Email: kdurst@garrettcountymd.gov.