Standing in the midst of Long Branch businesses that have suffered financially during Purple Line construction, Gov. Wes Moore Monday announced he has included $3 million in his proposed budget to help pay for improved store front facades and building rehabilitation along the 16-mile lite rail route.
“This is a time to celebrate what progress looks like,” he said.
Since 2025, Maryland has delivered $2 million to more than 180 small businesses along the Purple Line corridor that will run from New Carrollton to Bethesda, Moore said to a crowd gathered in front of the Flower Theatre on Flower Street.
If the Fiscal Year 2027 State Budget is adopted with this facade program intact, businesses can apply for between $50,000 and $250,000 to fix up their buildings.
“This is going to benefit everybody,” including shoppers and business owners who continue to deal with closed roads, sideways and entryways to many businesses due to Purple Line construction, said U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-8). The facade program “is a beautifying and community uplifting investment,” he declared.
“You can’t judge a book by its cover, but a cover is important none the less,” Raskin said.
Many of the affected small business owners are owned by immigrants and people of color, said Maryland Del. Jheanelle Wilkens.
County Executive Marc Elrich praised the grant program but warned of the importance of keeping costs and rents to a level that won’t chase out current renters and business owners.
