More than 100 small businesses located along Maryland’s Purple Line corridor have received a combined $1 million in grants through the first phase of the state’s small business grant program, officials announced.

The program was designed to support businesses situated closest to the heavy construction zones along the 16-mile light rail project, helping them stay afloat, retain their employees, and even explore opportunities for growth despite ongoing disruptions. Individual grant awards in this round ranged from $1,000 to $40,000, making up the initial $1 million pot.

This is just the start of a larger four-year, $4 million initiative aimed at compensating small businesses for the economic challenges created by the long-running construction project.

In a press release, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld emphasized the broader purpose behind the investment: “Maryland’s investment in the Purple Line represents a tremendous economic growth opportunity that will connect communities from Bethesda to New Carrollton.”

“These grants will support small businesses whose operations are impacted by construction to ensure they are ready to thrive once the Purple Line opens,” Wiedefeld added.

More than 450 applications were submitted in the first round, according to state officials. Eligibility was determined based on factors such as a business’s immediate financial needs and its proximity to active construction zones.

The Purple Line, currently under construction, is a major infrastructure project that will reshape transit connections across Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. When complete, the 16-mile light rail line will feature 21 stations stretching from Bethesda to New Carrollton. The line is designed to link up with several major transit systems, including Metro’s Red, Green, and Orange lines at key transfer points like Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park, and New Carrollton. It will also connect to MARC commuter rail, Amtrak, and a variety of local bus services.

The Purple Line is projected to open for service in the winter of 2027 — a timeline that has seen delays and cost overruns due to contractor changes and other challenges. Construction has posed major hurdles for small, often minority- and immigrant-owned businesses located near the corridor, who have faced declining foot traffic, blocked access, and parking disruptions.

Advocates say the grant program is crucial to keeping these small businesses viable until the rail line is completed. State officials note that additional rounds of grants will follow in the coming years, as part of the larger $4 million commitment.

Originally reported by Alan Etter in WTOP News.