Hotel Grants

Applicant Eligibility

You are eligible for grant funds if you meet the following criteria.

• You are a hotel or bed-and-breakfast with NAICS Code 721110 or 721191.
• You are in good standing with the state of Maryland and City of Baltimore, and up-to-date on Hotel Tax payments and Tourism Improvement District (BTID) assessment payments.
• You are located within the City of Baltimore.
• You are subject to the accommodations tax imposed by and in good standing with the city of Baltimore.
• You were established prior to July 2019.
• You can demonstrate the negative impact of COVID-19 by providing a summary of (a) overall revenue reductions and expense increases incurred for the period from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021; (b) itemized list of other (if any) local, state, and federal relief funds received and how funds were used to address the impact of COVID-19 on the organization, and (c) information on an existing operational gap after receiving relief funds.
• You can demonstrate negative impact of COVID-19 by providing federal income tax return or financial statements showing 25% or greater reduction in revenue adjusted for COVID-19 costs in 2020 over 2019.
• You can provide FEIN, W9, and an audit or federal return no older than calendar year 2019.
• You agree to complete a Performance Report in September 2022 and April 2023.
• You accept grant payment via ACH.

Eligible Costs

To meet United States Department of Treasury guidelines and ensure the assistance provided to organizations responds to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, uses of funds are restricted to the following:

• Working capital such as rent, payroll, utilities and job training up to 6 months
• Professional services (e.g., marketing, hiring, accounting, sanitization/janitorial, etc.)
• Purchase of equipment and services to expand outdoor service delivery
• Certain infrastructure improvements related to the mitigation of COVID-19 such as HVAC upgrades and improvements to support social distancing such as physical barriers
• Technology to support telework for employees and online sales platforms
• Purchase of PPE and other COVID-19 related supplies

All expenses not expressly mentioned are excluded. Prohibited costs include debt service payments, rent or mortgage payments for home-based businesses, legal settlements or judgements, costs reimbursed by another funding source, extraordinary deposits into pension or retirement funds and deposits to financial reserves.

Grant Awards Process

The ARPA hotel grant funding will be determined after the application window closes in early February and will depend on the number of applications received.

Deadline: February 6, 2022, 11:59 PM EST 

Questions? If you have questions or need assistance, contact: [email protected] 

What hotels are eligible to apply?

All hotels or bed-and-breakfast establishments with NAICS Codes 721110 or 721191.

Are Bed and Breakfasts eligible?

Yes, if the property has 5 or more sleeping rooms.

Where can hotels complete the grant application?

Begin application here.

What is the deadline to complete the application?

Funds will be distributed by February 28. The deadline to submit all applications is February 6.

What can the funds be used for?

This direct relief can be used for working capital such as rent, payroll, utilities, and job training up to 6 months; professional services (e.g., marketing, hiring, accounting, sanitization/janitorial, etc.); purchase of equipment and services to expand outdoor service delivery; certain infrastructure improvements related to the mitigation of COVID-19 such as HVAC upgrades and improvements to support social distancing such as physical barriers; technology to support telework for employees and online sales platforms; purchase of PPE and other COVID-19 related supplies.

Why is Visit Baltimore handling the distribution?

Baltimore City has designated Visit Baltimore to manage and distribute these funds.

Who can I contact with questions?

Please direct all questions to [email protected]

If your hotel fits the criteria above, please begin your application at the link below. If you own more than one qualifying hotel you will be required to complete this application for each hotel; you will be able to copy your answers from your first application to subsequent applications.