HANOVER, MD (February 10, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Transportation is accepting grant applications from small businesses impacted by construction along the Purple Line alignment in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. The Purple Line Small Business Grants Program will support business operations during construction closures or detours, as well as provide marketing support for businesses along the alignment during construction of the light rail project. The four-year program will invest $4 million in eligible businesses along the Purple Line corridor.
“Maryland’s investment in the Purple Line represents a tremendous economic growth opportunity that will connect communities from Bethesda to New Carrollton. For the project to be truly successful, we must ensure that we leave no one behind,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “These grants will support the businesses whose operations are impacted by construction to ensure they remain open and are ready to thrive once the Purple Line opens.”
Eligible small business applicants must operate a customer-facing business within one-quarter of a mile from the Purple Line alignment and have been open and operational since January 1, 2022. Small businesses are eligible if they meet one or more of the following criteria: 50 or fewer employees, gross sales averaging $2 million or less, or are certified in the State of Maryland’s Small Business Reserve Program.
Grant award amounts of up to $50,000 will vary based on location of the business, construction impacts and whether the business is located in areas designated for community and economic development, revitalization and sustainability. Up to three application rounds will take place each year. The first round of applications is due by March 14, 2025. Program details and the grant application can be found at
www.purplelinemd.com.
The Purple Line Business Engagement Team is committed to establishing strong working relationships with businesses along the alignment, connecting businesses with tools and resources to support their business, and minimizing disruptions during construction activities. The Business Engagement Team maintains a directory of more than 800 businesses along the alignment and spotlights businesses each month on the Purple Line website. For additional information about resources available, please reach the Business Engagement Team at
business@purplelinemd.com.
The Maryland Department of Transportation secured the funding for the program through a contract re-negotiation with the project’s concessionaire, Purple Line Transit Partners, which was approved by Maryland’s Board of Public Works in March 2024. Purple Line Transit Partners is the Maryland Department of Transportation’s private sector partner in the construction, operation and maintenance of the Purple Line Light Rail and is comprised of majority partner Meridiam and Star America. The project is being constructed by Maryland Transit Solutions, a joint venture of Flatiron Dragados and OHL USA.
This grant program succeeds the Purple Line Construction Zone Grant Program, which provided grants in 2023 and 2024 from the State of Maryland and was administered by Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.
The Purple Line is a 16-mile, 21-station light rail line that will extend from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County. It will directly connect to Metro's Red, Green and Orange lines at Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park and New Carrollton. The Purple Line will also connect to MARC, Amtrak and local bus services. To learn more, visit purplelinemd.com, and follow Purple Line on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter and YouTube.