Montgomery County Supports National Small Business Week

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Montgomery County is supporting National Small Business Week, May 5 – 11, to recognize the importance of small businesses and their impact on our economy and local communities.

“Small business is big business in Montgomery County,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Over 95 percent of the businesses in Montgomery County have fewer than 50 employees, and their success is vital to grow our economy and to keep our communities vibrant. My administration is committed to making sure our businesses are supported and that we develop a healthy incubator and innovation climate to help local entrepreneurs bring their ideas into the world and to grow jobs in Montgomery County.”

One of Elrich’s new initiatives, 4Business: Benchmarking to Be the Best for Business, is designed to help improve the business experience in Montgomery County.

On Monday, May 6, Elrich and County Council Vice President Sidney Katz, both of whom have a small business background, will hold a 4Business listening session at the East County Regional Services Center, located at 3300 Briggs Chaney Road in Silver Spring. This is the third of six listening sessions scheduled around the County to get feedback from business owners and entrepreneurs about their business concerns and experiences in Montgomery County.  The objective of this initiative is to reexamine processes and regulations to make sure they are efficient, fair and sensible. Public input is key. For more information, including ways to provide input if you can’t attend an upcoming listening session, visit the 4Business website.

The following day, May 7, Elrich and the Montgomery County Council will issue a joint proclamation to recognize National Small Business Week during the County Council’s meeting at the Council Office Building (third floor hearing room), located at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville.   

“I am pleased to be helping to lead the efforts in the County for the 4Business initiative,” said Katz.  “Recognizing Small Business Week is yet another way to bring the importance of these businesses to light.  The success of small business in Montgomery County is crucial to our economic development.”

On Wednesday, May 8, Elrich will launch the new Business Connect hub at noon at the Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road in Germantown. Business Connect is a new Montgomery County program that offers classes, counseling and connections to support businesses in their communities. Over the next year, the program is expected to expand through the County’s network of Regional Services Centers.

“These support centers will assist existing and new businesses,” said Elrich.

The award-winning Montgomery County Business Portal offers information and resources for business owners as it includes industry-specific business starter kits, upcoming business training workshops, a frequently asked questions section and more.

The Business Portal is managed by Montgomery County’s Business Solutions Group. For more information, visit the County’s website.

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Release ID: 19-143
Media Contact: Sonya Burke 240-855-9813