Montgomery County Small Business Assistance Program Helping Wheaton Businesses That Have Demonstrated Losses During Construction of New County Office Building

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Nearly $515,000 Has Been Distributed to 17 Businesses Impacted by Wheaton Revitalization

Montgomery County’s Small Business Assistance Program, which was created by County Council Bill 6-12 that was sponsored by County Council President Nancy Navarro to provide technical and financial assistance to qualified Downtown Wheaton businesses during the three-year Wheaton Revitalization construction project, has distributed $514,960 to 17 businesses since the inception of the program in 2017. An additional $31,720 has been approved for disbursement to two other businesses. Applications from six businesses are currently being reviewed.

More than 90 businesses in the “Wheaton Triangle” area that may be impacted by the construction of a new 14-story Montgomery County office building and adjacent town square have had the opportunity to apply for this innovative form of help from the County to stabilize their businesses during the construction period that began in June 2017. The project is scheduled to be completed in May 2020.

The Small Business Assistance Program is providing financial help and technical assistance to many of the Wheaton Triangle businesses during the construction period. The project is nearing 45 percent completion. Businesses are eligible for reimbursement of revenue losses if they can demonstrate an adverse financial impact during construction. The unique aspect of the County program is that businesses owners are eligible for direct financial assistance—up to a maximum of $75,000 over the construction period. That limit was established as part of the legislation that created the program.

The amounts of approved reimbursements have ranged from $1,680 to $68,270.

In addition to the 17 businesses that have received reimbursements, the County’s Department of Finance is processing applications from six more businesses. The Latino Economic Development Center, which has contracted with the County to work with businesses during construction, has provided technical assistance that has included marketing, business planning and legal counseling. The assistance is designed to help develop long-term plans that will take the businesses well-beyond the construction period.

The Small Business Assistance Program established $200,000 in seed money during Fiscal Year 2018. The County provided additional funding in the FY19 budget. The intent of the program is to assist the Wheaton businesses surrounding the construction site, many of which are sole-proprietors and have Latino ownership.

“Small businesses are vital to our community and protecting them is a top priority,” said Council President Navarro, who represents Council District 4 that includes Downtown Wheaton. “This is why I felt it was necessary to sponsor Bill 6-12 at the County Council, creating the Small Business Assistance Program. These are businesses that have served this community in so many ways for a very long time, so now they need our support to ensure they get through the construction phase of this revitalization project.”

Eligible businesses that have yet to apply for assistance can do so through the County’s Department of Finance, which oversees the program. Applications and program details are available, in English and Spanish, via the department’s website at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/finance/. Information is available at the link for “Small Business Assistance Program.”

The project will transform Wheaton’s central business district with a mixed-use, transit-oriented development. In addition to the construction of the 14-story government office building, the project will provide 397 below ground parking spaces, first floor retail space and the new town square. Most significantly impacted during construction is the Wheaton Triangle area between Veirs Mill Road and Georgia Avenue. The local roads that form the Triangle area include Grandview Avenue, Reedie Drive and Triangle Lane. The main occupant of the new building will be the relocated Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, which is now in Downtown Silver Spring.

The 308,000 square-foot building, which is seeking to achieve LEED platinum certification, also will be home to several County departments including Permitting Services, Environmental Protection, Health and Human Services, Recreation and Community Use of Public Facilities. In addition, relocating to the new building will be the Wheaton Urban District and the Mid-County Regional Services office.

A camera has been installed to view construction on the site and can be accessed via the project’s website at wheatonproject.com.

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Release ID: 19-026
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-777-6532