• Complete ARPA Disbursements Summary

Business Training and Outreach ($2.0 million allocation):

Business Growth Advantage Program (BGAP): 

The primary objective of BGAP is to assist businesses in building capacity, maximizing opportunities, creating jobs, and growing our overall economy. The training curriculum focuses on practical skills that the business owners can immediately put into action within their companies.

• To date, we've successfully conducted 8 cohorts, engaging 105 small business owners who have received a total of $950,000 in disbursements.
• As of October 31, 2023, there's $85,000 pending disbursement, scheduled for completion before February 5, 2024.
• Cohort 9 training is currently underway, running from November 9, 2023, to November 11, 2024, with a total of 17 participants set to receive a grant disbursement amounting to $170,000.Cohorts 10 and 11 are planned for 2024, each with around 15 business owners. The combined grant disbursements for both cohorts are expected to reach $300,000.An additional $74,500 has been allocated for administrative support for BGAP through FY 2024.
• BGAP participant mentoring: We've secured consultants for quarterly roundtable mentoring/training sessions for BGAP graduates. $5,000 has already been expended, and we have 5 mentoring sessions planned for 2024, with a total expense of $12,500.
• BGAP Business Strategy Roundtable for Alumni: These sessions will feature experts conducting two-hour strategy sessions with BGAP Alumni. Topics covered include Advanced Business Strategy, Digital Marketing, Sales Marketing Integration, Innovation and Adaptation, and Customer Relationship Management. These sessions will take place in 2024 leading up to Business Appreciation Week through September 2024, with a total projected expense of $50,000.
• We remain committed to monitoring the impact of the BGAP program and will make any necessary adjustments to ensure its continuation through 2025.

Small Business Mentoring Program with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM):

• Charles County and CSM have entered into a Subrecipient Agreement for the SBDC to provide mentoring services to businesses from October 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025.
• The SBDC will hire a part-time consultant to work with business owners, with a primary focus on startup strategies, recovery planning, marketing, and business plan assistance.
• The consultant's role is vital in addressing the challenges that have hindered the growth and expansion of small businesses in Charles County, particularly in response to the negative economic impact of COVID-19.
• A total of $100,000 has been allocated for this initiative.

Marketing Initiatives:

Shop Local Campaign:
Shop Local Marketing Program: In light of the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local small businesses, the EDD has been listening to our local business community, who continue to grapple with reduced sales. In response, the EDD has launched an extensive Shop Local marketing program to support businesses facing these challenges. This initiative will remain in effect through 2025.

With Love for Charles: The "With Love from Charles" Campaign, part of the broader Shop Local initiative, alongside Business Appreciation Week, is designed to strengthen our local businesses and encourage residents to support Charles County by shopping within our community. This marketing campaign is a testament to the County's ongoing commitment to assisting our local small business community in overcoming the financial challenges posed by the pandemic.