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Deadline Extended for Government Transition to Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

November 30, 2020

The General Services Administration recently extended the deadline for completing the government transition from the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number to the New Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) to April 2022.

“By April of 2022, the federal government will stop using the DUNS number to uniquely identify entities registered in the System for Award Management (SAM),” reads the GSA Unique Entity Identifier Update page. “At that point, entities doing business with the federal government will use a unique entity identifier (UEI) created in SAM.gov.”

In the meantime, Grants.gov will continue preparing the system to accept the new applicant UEIs when they become available.

To stay up to date on the latest UEI news from GSA and to determine how you can prepare, please visit gsa.gov/entityid.

Deadline Extended for Government Transition to Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

Governor Hogan Announces Additional Funding Through COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund

October 28, 2020

Are you a small business in need of assistance because of COVID-19? The Maryland Department of Labor is here to help! For More Information… Visit the Maryland Business Express website at https:// businessexpress.maryland.gov/coronavirus or contact the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning at LaborCOVID19.Layoffaversion2@maryland.gov.

GOVERNOR LARRY HOGAN’S OCTOBER 22 COVID-19 PRESS CONFERENCE

                                                              October 10, 2020

Governor Larry Hogan held a press conference on October 22, 2020. Governor Hogan announced new economic relief for Maryland small businesses. Visit: https://gbc.org/governor-larry-hogans-october-22-covid-19-press-conference/ for additional information. 

                                                            Key Takeaways

  • The Governor will make available additional economic relief by investing $250 million from State’s Rainy Day Fund (Revenue Stabilization Account) through Maryland Strong: Economic Recovery Initiative.
  • These funds are in addition to the $250 million already provided in economic relief to small businesses.
  • The funding is in lieu of federal relief. The Governor criticized federal leaders for failing to provide financial relief to states.
  • This new funding will allow expansion of relief programs for small businesses. The $250 million in funding will be allocated as follows:
    • $50 million for grants for businesses and non-profits, which is the third installment for the Maryland Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant Fund program, which was launched in March. This brings the total investment in this program to $145 million. This will also allow the program to fully fund backlog of approved applications already at Maryland Department of Commerce.
    • $50 million in new relief for Maryland restaurants to be used for a variety of purposes such as outdoor seating expansion, tenting, heaters, infrastructure (HVAC), technology upgrades for safety, purchase of PPE, and paying rent. This new funding will be provided to local jurisdictions to distribute. The funds must be disbursed by December 31, 2020.
    • $20 million will be provided to business and local entertainment venues through Main Street Maryland organizations as well as Baltimore Main Street programs.
    • $20 million goes to the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund to help prevent small businesses from having to lay off employees.
    • $5 million to the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority (MSBDFA) for small minority-owned businesses.
    • $2 million to support hometown tourism efforts and promote local restaurants, shops, and attractions.
    • $3 million to non-profits, county arts organizations, and local artists.
    • $100 million to create a new rapid response fund to deploy funding for pressing economic needs.