Baltimore City will issue more than $2 million in additional grant funding to caterers, restaurants and taverns, Mayor Brandon Scott announced Thursday.

The funds, which were made available by the state, are restricted to COVID-19-related expenses. The Baltimore Development Corp. will administer the grants.

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"Small businesses are the backbone of a healthy Baltimore economy and our road to recovery must run through them. But further support is required to navigate the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic," Scott said in a statement. "The additional resources from the state of Maryland are critical to helping homegrown businesses stay afloat and preserving our local economy in Baltimore."

"Through this grant program, the city will be able to support more of its most vulnerable businesses and the communities they serve," Colin Tarbert, president and CEO of the Baltimore Development Corp., said in a statement. "BDC remains committed to helping these businesses emerge as strong as possible from the effects of COVID-19."

The two-week grant application period started on Monday and will end at 11:59 p.m. on May 17. Read more at WBALTV