Montgomery County to Open Applications for Retail Business Rental Assistance Grants with Informational Webinars to be Held Aug. 16 and 19

A new $2 million Small Business Rental Assistance (SBRA) grant program for Montgomery County retail service establishments will be open for applications starting Sept. 1. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 30. The program can provide each eligible business with a grant of up to three months of rent based on its current lease or $10,000, whichever is less.

A business could be eligible to receive assistance from this program if it:

• Has its physical location(s) only in the County, or its County-based locations account for more than 50 percent of the business’s total number of employees or 50 percent of the business’s gross sales.
• Received $500,000 or less in annual revenue prior to the COVID-19 health crisis.
• Is classified as a retail or service-related business, but is not a restaurant or food service business, medical practice, professional services business, religious organization or licensed childcare program.
• Has a commercial lease in the County.
• Can demonstrate a revenue loss due to the health crisis.

The SBRA program application, eligibility requirements, frequently asked questions and registration for informational webinars Tuesday, Aug. 16, and Friday, Aug. 19, are available at Montgomery County Small Business Rental Assistance Program - Phase 2.

“Our retail businesses were hit hard by the pandemic,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “We are fortunate to be able to access this Federal funding to provide support to these businesses that employ 12 percent of our County’s workforce. I encourage all eligible County retail service establishments to apply for this newest round of grants.”

Montgomery County is working with one of its community resource partners, the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), to deliver the funding to eligible businesses. LEDC will be administering the program on behalf of Montgomery County, but the funds are available to all eligible businesses including those operated by Asian Americans, African Americans, Blacks, Latinos and others.

"With the pandemic still hurting small businesses in Montgomery County and bearing witness to entrepreneurs draining their personal savings to keep their businesses afloat during the past two years, we are excited to collaborate with Montgomery County Government to help qualified businesses receive the assistance they need to keep their businesses operating within the county,” said LEDC Executive Director and CEO Emi Reyes.

This is the second round of SBRA grants provided by the County using American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds provided by the Federal government. To date, more than $910,000 has been distributed. Retail service establishments that received the business rental assistance in 2021 will not be eligible to receive more funding from the second round of the program.

Businesses are encouraged to check their status with the State of Maryland before applying as awards cannot be made to businesses that are not in good standing.

Questions about the program should be sent to sbra@ledcmetro.org or BusinessCenter@montgomerycountymd.gov.