House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson, shown last year, are working to come up with relief packages, as is Gov. Larry Hogan. (The Daily Record/File Photo)
Business groups around the state will be looking for assistance from state government during the 2021 General Assembly session as they struggle to regain their footing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that has hobbled the state’s economy.
Those industries aren’t just looking for financial assistance to offset losses. A number are seeking policy changes, including liability protection and holding the line on changes to laws or regulations that would affect business owners.
Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association.
After the federal government approved a stimulus bill in early 2020 to offset the economic damage created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Benn Ray, owner of Baltimore’s Atomic Books, said spending at his shop improved.
Despite obstacles to opening due to the coronavirus’ spread, once the federal government approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act commerce at his store neared normal levels. When those funds dried up shopping at Atomic Books fell off.
“Right now everyone’s focus is on just how to survive, but I think the general consensus is there needs to be another round of stimulus, and there needs to be more help (for small businesses),” Ray said.
@BryanRenbaum
Maryland added 24,100 jobs in November and the state’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.8% to 6.8%, according to preliminary data released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday morning.
The latest data means that Maryland’s unemployment rate is now at its lowest level since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. It was initially estimated that the state added 10,200 jobs in October but that figure was later revised upwards to 25,500 jobs. The national unemployment rate is at 6.7%.
MarylandReporter.com asked the state’s business and political leaders to assess the latest jobs numbers.
“It certainly seems like better news than recent reporting cycles,” Frederick County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rick Weldon said.
Council also approves changes for indoor sports, religious institutions
December 15, 2020 | 3:24 pm
December 18, 2020
Logo from Montgomery County
Restaurants will once again be limited to outdoor dining, carryout and delivery to help them survive during the pandemic, as winter weather rolls into Montgomery County.
To slow the rapidly increasing spread of COVID-19, the County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved more restrictions, starting at 5 p.m.
Restaurants will have to completely close indoor dining. Outdoor dining, carryout, delivery and drive-through services will still be allowed.
Outdoor dining will only be allowed each day between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Retail shops will have to reduce their capacity to a maximum of one person per 200 square feet of retail space, with a maximum limit of 150 people.
Baltimore County s small retailers urge customers to shop in person amid online competition, pandemic baltimoresun.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from baltimoresun.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.