Nearly two-thirds of Baltimore County businesses surveyed by the county report they need financial help to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baltimore County Economic Development Director Will Anderson said the survey makes it clear small business owners are trying to figure out ways to hang on to their employees as well as pay their bills while their doors are closed.

“And 63 percent saying they need financial support shows that the stimulus work that’s been coming out so far hasn’t met all of the needs,” Anderson said.

For one thing, the federal stimulus program for small businesses called the Paycheck Protection Program ran out of money last week. Congress currently is considering a deal to give that program additional funding.

Anderson is offering up a webinar for small business owners Tuesday at 1 pm. He said people can get advice from a panel of experts who know how to wade through the available state and federal stimulus programs.

You can hop on the 1 pm webinar by going to baltimorecountybusiness.com

Anderson said more than 46,000 people have filed for unemployment in Baltimore County over the past four weeks. However, some businesses are hiring, particularly the ones that are on the front lines of the pandemic like grocery stores and health care centers.

Anderson said banks like Bank of America and PNC Bank that are dealing with the high demand for small business loans are hiring as well.

“These are organizations that are still looking for people,” Anderson said.

While some parts of the economy need people, Anderson said nonessential businesses are closed for a reason.

“We have an immediate situation of getting people home and keeping them home and in essence paying them to stay home,” Anderson said.