JumpStart Grants Support Diverse Selection of Small Businesses, Agriculture
FREDERICK, Md. – Frederick County residents have greater access to COVID-19 testing thanks to the rollout of community and “pop-up” testing services from the Frederick County Health Department. County Executive Jan Gardner announced the launch of mobile and community-based public clinics during her public information briefing today. Regular clinic hours have been established in Brunswick and Thurmont, while additional locations are being finalized. Some closed clinics also are being offered to specific groups.
“Testing is a critical component to our safe path forward,” said Executive Gardner. “I encourage people to be tested. It is free, easy, and open to people who show no symptoms.”
Testing will be available in Brunswick on Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. and in Thurmont on Fridays from 5-7 p.m. Exact locations will be announced on the Frederick County Health Department’s website at Health.FrederickCountyMD.gov/coronavirus.
Any organization interested in hosting a testing clinic should email Community Testing Director Danielle Haskin at dhaskin@frederickcountymd.gov. Requests should include information on the population that would be served, including the number of people expected, whether the on-site clinic would be open to the public, if parking or public transportation is available nearby, and preferred days and hours.
Executive Gardner also announced that 1,179 applications were received for the Frederick County JumpStart grant program. A total of $5 million is being awarded to small businesses and full-time farmers who were impacted by the pandemic. Applications for grants were received from 449 women-owned businesses, 232 minority-owned, and 73 veteran-owned.
Applicants who received letters announcing their award have until 5 p.m. Monday, June 22, to complete the final paperwork needed so that the grants can be deposited directly into businesses’ bank accounts. Questions about JumpStart should be directed to OED@discoverfrederickmd.com.
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