Published on: Thursday, February 09, 2012

By Christa Puccio

The Montgomery County Council introduced two bills targeted at helping small businesses in Montgomery County.  

Bill 5-12, the “Small Business Navigator” bill, would task an individual in the County executive branch with serving as the primary point of contact between a small business and county departments or agencies at the small business’ disposal in order to “help small businesses navigate our regulatory process,” according to Council President Roger Berliner.  “Montgomery County has a rather rigorous regulatory process and what I would love to see is someone in the executive branch tasked with the responsibility of assisting small businesses and figuring out what they need to do and getting it done quickly.”

Councilmember George Leventhal said he appreciates the bill, but he thinks just one position will not be adequate to do the job.  “I think the work that needs to be done to help out small businesses is extensive,” said Leventhal.

Bill 6-12 is aimed at helping small businesses affected by redevelopment projects, and would tentatively allow the director of the County’s Department of Economic Development to award a grant or load from the Economic Development Fund to an eligible small business.  It would also provide technical assistance and training for small business receiving financial assistance under the program.  

“Vice President Navarro has a bill in that I have cosponsored as well as a number of my colleagues that is designed to help small businesses as well, particularly when there is redevelopment,” said Berliner.  “Sometimes the pushback in redevelopment, even in places like Silver Spring, has been that rent increases and therefore small businesses that have been an integral part of the community have been forced out.  So, it is to ensure that small businesses as we expand economic opportunity have an opportunity to stay or otherwise get assistance.”

Navarro said Bill 6-12 is important because small business owners typically need access to capital and technical assistance.  “It’s not a silver bullet, but it’s an important step forward to strengthen our quality of life,” said Navarro.

According to Berliner, the County Council developed these bills to show its commitment to small businesses.  “It is often said that small businesses in Montgomery County is big business and they are a significant economic engine – we want to assist them all the ways we can,” said Berliner.