MDOT - Maryland Department of Transportation

10/05/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/05/2026 08:42

Maryland Department of Transportation Awards 38 Grants to Small Businesses Along Purple Line Corridor

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 Contact: Maryland Department of Transportation Office of Public Affairs
David Broughton, 410-599-9428

$400,000 in Grants Awarded to 38 Small Businesses Along the Purple Line; $3 Million Awarded Through 287 Grants Since Program Inception under Moore-Miller Administration

HANOVER, MD (October 5, 2026) - The Maryland Department of Transportation has awarded $400,000 in new grants to support operations at 38 small businesses along the Purple Line alignment. The Maryland Transit Administration's Purple Line spans 16-miles and includes 21 stations along an east-west corridor from New Carrollton in Prince George's County to Bethesda in Montgomery County. Construction of the Purple Line is 92% complete and is set to open for passenger service at the end of next year. The Small Business Grant Program was created to support small businesses along the alignment currently impacted by construction. Since the start of 2025, the program has awarded 287 grants totaling $3 million.


Programs like the Purple Line Small Business Grant program are part of the Moore-Miller Administration and the Maryland Department of Transportation's commitment to business retention, job growth and quality of life for Maryland residents. A list of the latest grant awards is available on the Purple Line website​ . The next round of grant applications is open now through November 7.

The Maryland Department of Transportation reminds everyone that businesses remain open during construction and encourages residents to support these local small businesses. The Maryland Transit Administration's Purple Line Business Engagement Team maintains a directory of businesses along the alignment and works closely with business owners to provide construction updates and answer questions. They also regularly spotlight businesses along the alignment. Recent businesses spotlighted that also received a grant in this round of funding include:
  • D' Linares Barbershop, a family-owned and operated business, has served the Takoma-Langley community since 2022. D' Linares prides itself on offering modern and classic haircuts, beard grooming, hot towel treatments and personalized styling in a family-oriented, bilingual environment. Appointments are encouraged, and six barbers are available to serve walk-in clients Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Café Via Roma was born from a deep passion for Italian cafe culture and a lifelong dream of owning a business. Café Via Roma offers a variety of hot and cold drinks, pastries, breakfast items, salads, sandwiches and entrees. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., access to Café Via Roma is provided from Bonifant Street and Georgia Avenue during the construction of the MTA Purple Line Silver Spring Library station.
  • Siempre Hermosa offers garments entirely made in Colombia, drawing on the region's renowned expertise in supportive and sculpting apparel. The Hyattsville store on University Boulevard, near the MTA Purple Line Riggs Road station, is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Small businesses currently open for business and experiencing construction impacts may be eligible for the Purple Line Small Business Grant Program. Eligible establishments must primarily conduct business with customers onsite at a location within one-quarter of a mile of the Purple Line. Businesses must have been open at the current location since at least January 1, 2025. This opening date is later than in previous rounds and is intended to help newer and longstanding businesses.


The Purple Line Small Business Grant Program is a competitive grant program and not all businesses that are eligible will receive funding. Businesses that applied but did not receive an award from this round of funding and businesses that did not apply to the latest round are encouraged to submit an application in the next funding cycle, which is now open through November 7. Program details, full eligibility requirements and a link to the grant application can be found on the Purple Line website .

The Purple Line is a 16-mile, 21-station light rail line connecting communities from New Carrollton in Prince George's County to Bethesda in Montgomery County. The Purple Line will directly connect to the Metrorail's Red, Green, Silver 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 the project's progress on Facebook , Instagram , X , YouTube , Threads and Bluesky .
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