MDOT Purple Line Small Business Grant Program

MDOT Purple Line Small Business Grant — Round 2

Supports small businesses near a major transit corridor with financial assistance for business continuity and adaptation.

The MDOT Purple Line Small Business Grant Program is administered by the Maryland Department of Transportation's Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) to help small businesses along the Purple Line light rail corridor offset economic disruption caused by construction and service launch. The programme succeeded the 2023–2024 Construction Zone Grant Program and runs through 2028, allocating $1 million per year split between Prince George's County and Montgomery County. Round 2 of the 2026 programme year opens 29 June 2026, closes 31 July 2026, and announces awards on 1 September 2026. Grant payments are made approximately 30 days after the award announcement. In the 2025 programme year, approximately 200 businesses were awarded $2 million in total across three rounds.

Awards are up to $50,000 per business per round. To be eligible, a business must have been open and operating at its current physical location before 1 July 2023, be located within one-quarter mile of the Purple Line alignment in Prince George's or Montgomery County, have 50 or fewer employees, and have average annual gross sales under $2 million over the prior five years. The business must be in good standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Excluded business types include cannabis, tobacco, alcohol, pawn shops, gun shops, massage parlors, adult entertainment venues, tanning salons, gambling facilities, and tattoo parlors.

Applications are submitted through the Maryland OneStop portal at no cost. Required documents include all mandatory application fields, an IRS Tax Form W-9, and proof of active status from Maryland Business Express. Awards are taxable income. Businesses that miss Round 2 may apply in Round 3, which opens 12 October 2026 and announces awards 16 December 2026.