Maryland DOT Awards $500,000 in Purple Line Small Business Grants

Train interlocking near the New Carrollton Station.

Courtesy of MDOT MTA

HANOVER, Md. - The Maryland Department of Transportation awards $500,000 in Purple Line small business grants. More than 40 businesses receive awards ranging from $5,000 to $40,000.

According to the release from MDOT, these grants come as part of the second round of funding from the Purple Line Small Business Grant Program. Launched in February 2025, the grants help small businesses that are located along the Purple Line “sustain operations and preserve jobs during the project’s construction.”

Over the next 4 years, the program will invest $4 million in small businesses during construction of the Purple Line. There will be three rounds each year; $1 million in funds awarded in May 2025. The second round of funding garnered more than 350 applications.

Purple Line Small Business Grant Awards Round 2

Applications are assessed based on location of said business and its proximity to the Purple Line construction. To be eligible for the Purple Line Small Business Grant program, businesses must do business with customers onsite within one-quarter of a mile of the Purple Line and have been in operation since January 1, 2022. Those most affected by the construction in the “prior and upcoming six months” are prioritized.

Maryland Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Samantha J. Biddle said, “Small businesses are the heart of Maryland’s economy and its diverse communities, providing jobs, essential services and economic opportunities. . . It is critical that small businesses impacted during construction of the Purple Line are supported.”

If a business did not receive an award during the second round of funding are encouraged to apply again for the next cycle that opens October 6. Applications for the next round are due by November 14, 2025. More information on application details can be found at the link here.

Purple Line Construction

On July 25, RT&S reported the MDOT MTA Purple Line project was 80% complete. At the time of reporting, rail installation was 54% complete with the overhead catenary system also underway. Work in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties are covered in detail in the MDOT MTA’s July 2025 newsletter.