GEN, BGE and Hello Alice today announced the awarding of $2.58 million to 129 small businesses located in central Maryland during the seventh round of BGE's Energizing Small Business Grants program, which continues to help businesses recover from the economic downturn so they can survive and thrive. The grant is administered through GEN's Small Business Grants Program.
BGE made the announcement in Annapolis at ArtFarm Studios, a small business that previously won a grant.
“When small businesses thrive, they become powerful economic engines, creating even more opportunities in their communities and we are so pleased to celebrate today’s grant recipients,” said BGE President and CEO Carim Khouzami. “Since 2019, BGE has granted over $13 million to small businesses throughout Central Maryland. This is addition to other small business partnership, development and resource programs, reflecting our dedication to bringing good energy to the community. We are not just a power company, we are an empower company.”
"Of the many lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the most important for us to carry forward is that increased sense of responsibility to ourselves, to our neighbors, and to our communities," said Heather Gramm, assistant secretary for the Maryland Department of Commerce's Division of Business and Industry Sector Development. "BGE is leading by example. Their commitment to serving Maryland's small business community goes hand-in-hand with the priorities of Governor Wes Moore, his administration, and the work we do at the Maryland Department of Commerce."
BGE partners with Hello Alice, a free, multichannel platform that helps businesses launch and grow, and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), a Washington, D.C.-based organization that supports entrepreneurs throughout the United States and around the world, to provide the grants. All applicants gain access to Hello Alice’s full suite of small business tools and resources, and connectivity to a global network through GEN. Eligible businesses may receive grants of $20,000 each. A full list of awardees is available at helloalice.com.
In total, 651 businesses have received Energizing Small Business Grants totaling $13.06 million since 2021. The Energizing Small Business Grants program and all nonprofit contributions are made using shareholder dollars and are not reflected in customer bills.
To be considered for a BGE Energizing Small Business Grant, applicants must be a for-profit business located within BGE’s service area; be an existing BGE electric and/or gas customer with positive BGE credit history; be in good standing (or on the way to) with the State of Maryland; have a maximum of 25 employees (full-time, part-time, contractors); have a maximum annual gross revenue of $7 million; and have a demonstrated need of funding to support business and serve customers.