The Maryland Department of Transportation has awarded $500,000 in grants to support 40 small businesses impacted by ongoing Purple Line construction, continuing an effort aimed at helping locally owned businesses remain operational during the multi-year project.
The funding comes through the Purple Line Small Business Grant Program, which launched earlier this year and has now distributed $2 million to nearly 200 small businesses across Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. This marks the program’s third round of awards.
Maryland Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Samantha J. Biddle said the state is working to both complete the Purple Line as quickly as possible and support businesses affected along the corridor, calling the grants a form of relief as the project reaches major milestones.
The Purple Line is approximately 85 percent complete. All light rail vehicles have arrived in Maryland, and track installation in Prince George’s County is finished. Remaining construction is concentrated largely in Montgomery County, with system testing continuing along the 16-mile alignment.
More than $300,000 of the latest round of funding was directed to businesses along Bonifant Street in downtown Silver Spring, an area that has experienced prolonged construction impacts. Eligible businesses on the 900 block of Bonifant Street each received $25,000 this year to help sustain operations. The corridor is home to a wide range of restaurants and cafés, including Mandalay Restaurant & Café, Kook Kai’s Thai Noodles, Café via Roma, Lamrot Restaurant & Bar, Roger Miller Restaurant, Sweet Sweet Kitchen, and Kefa Café.
Additional grants were awarded to businesses near the future Takoma Langley station, which will serve Takoma Langley Crossroads, an area with nearly 200 food, retail, and service businesses along University Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue. Grant recipients in that area include Tijuana Mexican Cafe, Pupuseria El Comalito, Caribbean Palace, Campeon Pollo a la Brasa, Halal Meat & Grocery, Sarah Fabrics, Priti’s Fashion & Jewelry, Discount Mart Capital Kidz, and Dima Furniture.
MDOT emphasized that businesses along the Purple Line corridor remain open during construction and encouraged residents to continue supporting them. As part of that effort, Montgomery County will offer free parking in all county-operated garages and lots on Super Saturday, December 20, to make it easier for shoppers to visit small businesses in downtown Silver Spring and Bethesda.
The Purple Line Small Business Grant Program includes three funding rounds each year. Awards are prioritized based on a business’s proximity to construction areas most heavily impacted in the previous and upcoming six months. Grant amounts vary by business size and location, and funds may be used for any business-related expenses. To qualify, businesses must be located within a quarter mile of the Purple Line, primarily serve onsite customers, and have been open and operational since July 1, 2023.
The program is highly competitive, and not all eligible applicants receive funding. Businesses that were not awarded grants in this round or did not apply are encouraged to apply in the next cycle, which opens March 2, 2026. Program details, eligibility requirements, and application information are available at purplelinemd.com/small-business-grants.
