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Business Development

The COVID-19 public health crisis has had a devastating impact on local businesses and families. NOTE: The WK Chamber was avoiding any possibility of community transmission, but has cautiously resumed our in-person networking events.

All Marylanders Can Get a COVID-19 Vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccine is open to all Marylanders. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) granted full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 years of age.

Financial Tools & Federal Resources to Help Small Businesses around the pandemic

Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation’s Resource Guide (English) (Spanish)

Looking for contacts for tech transfer opportunities, access to capital, workforce growth – or seeking diversity, equity and inclusion resources? MCEDC’s comprehensive resource guide has been updated with powerful information to help you grow, connect, learn and thrive. With: industry-specific sections including life sciences, government contracting, nonprofits and hospitality.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance program portal

The U.S. Small Business Administration program for all eligible applicants that have experienced economic impacts due to COVID-19.

Maryland Back to Business Website

Providing businesses of all sizes with updates and best practices in the Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery plan.

County Business Fact sheet with guidance for businesses to address the COVID-19 response

~ WEBINARS ~

Read the Webinar Q&A by Montgomery County Commuter Services

Information on Webinars & Teleworking: The Fastest Growing Commuting Alternative

Telework and Flextime Presentations and Videos

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Montgomery County Planning Department Report on Small Businesses

Montgomery Planning worked with consultants to study tools and policies to support and strengthen clusters of small/independent retailers that primarily serve or are owned by members of minority/migrant communities. They focused on “Diverse Retailers” businesses in the Wheaton, Silver Spring, and Takoma-Langley clusters.

The report recommends nine tools and strategies from dedicated liaisons to increase the capacity of the county to support these retailers, to zoning changes to make it easier to build smaller spaces that are less expensive and more suitable to small retailers.

Office of Broadband Programs Digital Equity

Digital Equity is when all individuals in a society can access the technology needed to fully participate in our society, democracy, and economy. The OBP focuses digital inclusion work in three areas to improve digital equity in Montgomery County: Access, Devices, and Training. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) offers assistance to low income families to access quality internet and to obtain digital equipment (i.e. computers, laptops, etc.).

EBB offers a temporary discount of up to $50 per month for low-income families and people who have lost a job, been furloughed, or applied for or received unemployment during the Covid pandemic. The $50 benefit can cover the entire monthly cost of home broadband. One EBB discount is available per household. This is a temporary program that will last until federal funding runs out or six months after the US Dept of Health and Human Services declares the pandemic is over.
~ View more eligibility information and the application ~

Free OCP Consumer Education Programs

The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) and its Advisory Committee on Consumer Protection offers free consumer education programs on a variety of topics. OCP also hosts a YouTube channel where past webinars and programs can be viewed.

Some of the topics covered in past programs include: Dealing with Debt, Understanding Your Credit Report, and Debt Collection / Home Improvement and Repair Problems / Mortgage Lending / Sales Scams / Solar Panel Installation. In addition to conducting consumer awareness and education programs, OCP handles consumer complaints to help resolve disputes between consumers and businesses (Anonymous Tip Line: 240-777-3681).

SBA Small Business Data Resources Tool

The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government. Small Business Data Resources is a valuable tool for researchers, policymakers, small business trade associations, and members of the media interested in small businesses’ role in the economy.

The tool is a concise summary listing of many of the most used federal government agencies, as well as non-government private sector, university, nonprofit, international, and other sources. Key topics include demographics, employment, exports, finance, firm size data, firms and establishments, health care, income and sales, pension coverage, taxes, and training.

U.S. Census Bureau Survey

Quick and easy access to statistics, and provides selected demographic and economic statistics from the American Community Survey. Search by geography, including incorporated places like cities and towns and census designated places. View detailed race, age and gender breakdowns, and compare communities.

  • CensusQuickFacts
    QuickFacts site with American Community Survey statistics – find information about a town, county or state.

Internal Revenue Service Small Business Program Office

The IRS Small Business was established to (1) assist small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned small, veteran-owned small, and service disabled veteran-owned small businesses, to develop, grow, and ensure their long-term success;
(2) continually foster an environment where small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned small, veteran-owned small, and service disabled veteran-owned small businesses can compete successfully for a fair share of IRS’s procurements on their own merits; and
(3) assist large businesses to increase subcontracting opportunities for small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned small, veteran-owned small, and service disabled veteran-owned small businesses.

Social Security Administration

3409 Annex 6401, Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235

LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell

LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell has been the world’s leading source of information for the legal and business professions for more than 140 years. Resources are available for business news, risk management information, company profiles, and more. Learn more through the free white papers and links to free resources in the LexisNexis online community.

  • LexisNexis Red Flags Rule can help businesses comply with the FACT Act Identity Theft Red Flags Rule. Reveal patterns, practices and suspicious activities that may indicate the possibility of identity theft.
  • LexisNexis Risk Solutions provides a wide-ranging collection of intelligence and analytics to professionals who need to protect and grow their organization.
  • LexisNexis Identity Fraud helps reduce compliance risk and prevent losses due to identity theft.
  • LexisNexis Company Profiles and find Corporate Affiliations.

SCORE: Service Corps of Retired Executives

SCORE is a nationwide nonprofit volunteer association of over 10,500 retired and active small business owners, executives and professionals. As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, it provides free counseling to small businesses. The Washington, DC Chapter has over 50 members experienced in owning and operating both small and large businesses in almost every field. For information on the SCORE program and their workshops, call 202-272-0390.

Start-ups and small businesses can call for a FREE counseling session at the Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902; call 240-777-0678 to make an appointment.

Montgomery County non-emergency government information and services

Or call 311 – Access information and create or track service requests of County government info.

Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC)

Includes business-friendly features, data resources and information to help you find the best talent, the perfect location for your new or growing company, plus the latest in market intelligence and business insights.

Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses

Local Small Business Reserve Program (LSBRP) is designed to help small businesses in Montgomery County obtain work with the county (which looks to allocate 20% of business to small business). Small businesses can find out how to get notified of upcoming procurements, downloading, accessing, and viewing abbreviated scopes of the procurements.

Montgomery County Office of Procurement

Formal solicitations include Invitation for Bids (IFB), Requests for Proposals (RFP) and Requests for Expressions of Interest (REOI).

Montgomery County Department of General Services

The Office of Planning and Development is responsible for implementation and management of the County’s redevelopment projects. A key component of this effort is creating opportunities for Public-Private Partnerships that leverage County assets and facilitate initiatives.

Department of Permitting Services

DPS promotes the health, safety and welfare and economic well-being of residents, businesses and communities of Montgomery County with timely, professional, transparent and consistent review and processing of plans and permits and through inspections of structures, rights-of-way and development. DPS enforces national, state and local codes for fire and life safety, electrical, mechanical, energy, accessibility, building and other public safety and zoning codes.

Montgomery County’s Property Database Search

Search for commercial office space and sites in Montgomery County using the online search tool.

The Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County

The center provides free virtual mediation services that can help settle any disputes between staff members, disputes around business contracts, and any conflict between you and your customers.

Their services are completely free, confidential, neutral, and voluntary. For more information about CRCMC and how to set up a mediation, call their office at 301-652-0717.

The Montgomery County Commission for Women’s Counseling & Career Center

The center offers Programs and Services for Adults 18 years and Older; located at 21 Maryland Avenue, Suite 330, Rockville, MD 20850. They’ve had many years of Service and Advocacy – helping women in the County with life and work transitions. For office hours and more information, call 240-777-8333.

Wheaton Revitalization Project 14-Story Office Building Achieves ‘LEED Platinum’ Certification

The 14-story office building that was the focal point of the Wheaton Revitalization Project received formal “LEED Platinum” certification by the U.S. Green Building Council  (USGBC). The platinum certification of the Class “A” building is the highest level in sustainable design that USGBC awards in objectively measuring a building’s sustainability. The 308,000-square-foot building is the first Montgomery County Government facility to receive a Platinum rating.

The building, owned by M-NCPPC, is located at 2425 Reedie Drive near the Wheaton Metro Station. The building and surrounding site replaced the county-owned Wheaton Market Place parking lot with a mixed-use building, ground-floor retail, a 400-space four-level public parking garage, and the Marian Fryer Town Square with an amphitheater for people to gather and enjoy programming throughout the year, as well as public art on the plaza.

The M-NCPPC building, which has approximately 900 employees, has many innovative sustainable design features including geothermal heating and cooling, green roof areas, water harvesting and energy controls. Montgomery County Planning Board, Montgomery Parks and Montgomery Planning, all part of The Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) occupy the top four levels of the building.

The structure also houses six Montgomery County departments including: Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (MCDPS); Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (MCDEP); Mid-County Regional Services Center – Wheaton Urban District; Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF); Montgomery County Health and Human Services (HHS); and Montgomery County Department of Recreation (REC).

Wheaton Revitalization Project

Office was overseeing redevelopment and revitalization activities. Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) entered into a joint development partnership with Stonebridge. The Wheaton Revitalization Project provided a government office building, below-ground parking garage, and a town square as part of the Revitalization Strategy for the Wheaton area.

This mixed-use development improves mobility, increases Wheaton Metro Station use, diminishes negative environmental impacts, reduces traffic congestion and increases the diversity of employment opportunities and services in the Wheaton area.
View video of images from entire building project from start to finish on OxBlue

Charles W. Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity

A County Executive Initiative opened its doors in Wheaton on September 8, 2001. Its mission is to provide an opportunity for all residents of Montgomery County to gain a better understanding and deeper appreciation for the variety of cultures that make up our community. As well as to provide an open, supportive and hospitable environment that affirms the County’s multiculturalism and foster a sense of belonging among all in our community. The Center serves as a central point of contact for services and programs available throughout the County, governmental and nongovernmental – in particular for new immigrants and new residents to the County.

Since its opening, the Gilchrist Center has served clients from over 60 different countries. Some of the specific programs offered include: New Americans Welcome Center Cultural Programs; Small Business Development Information and classes; and the Cultural Ambassador Program. The Center serves over one thousand clients a month from its location at Westfield South Building, 11002 Veirs Mill Road, 5th Floor, Wheaton, MD 20902. For more information, contact 240-777-4940.

Montgomery College Workforce Development & Continuing Education

  • Education, Training and Development – Montgomery College offers the best value for your training needs, and has business training centers in Gaithersburg, Wheaton, and Silver Spring. Endless possibilities that are affordable, practical, and convenient.
  • Professional and Workforce Development courses in:
    • AP Institute / The College Board
    • Management Development
    • Biotechnology
    • Maryland Safety Programs
    • Diversity Management Institute
    • Professional Licensure
    • Certification
    • Instituto Hispano de Negocios y Entrenamiento (Hispanic Business & Training Institute)
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Languages
    • Small Business Development

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