ROCKVILLE, Md. – May 19, 2020—The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) has selected Rockville-based Westat as its strategic partner in conducting a longitudinal COVID-19 Adaptation and Recovery Study.

This three-year survey of Montgomery County businesses will track and analyze the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the County’s businesses through spring of 2023. Nationally-recognized and employee-owned, Westat provides research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, businesses, foundations, and state and local governments.

“This is an important project, as data is critical for lawmakers and policymakers to make informed decisions,” said Benjamin H. Wu, President and CEO of MCEDC. “This multi-year survey will be used to guide Montgomery County’s post-pandemic initiatives and allow us to best understand the evolving issues that are priorities for the business community.”

“Businesses representing different industries, sizes, and ownership demographics will be included in our sampling plan to ensure the survey results provide a full picture of business adaptation. We are excited to partner with MCEDC to support the long-term vitality of business in our home County,” said Dr. Kerry Levin, Westat Vice President for Social Policy and Research and the project lead.

MCEDC and Westat will begin administering the first of six monthly surveys beginning in June 2020, with quarterly surveys implemented thereafter. Data analyses will be shared with the County Executive, the County Council, and external stakeholders. As the multi-year study progresses, MCEDC will provide quarterly public briefings on the survey results.

Anticipated survey topics and trends to track include business adaptation strategies during the stay-at-home order, firm closures, and unanticipated opportunities for growth during recovery, among others. The survey also intends to follow the impact of federal, state, and local COVID-19 relief dollars on local businesses.

The Local Production Fund was created to provide local small and medium-sized manufacturers/producers with the working capital necessary to make and provide essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and other COVID-19 related products. The grants range in size from $2,500 to $25,000 and will produce face shields, face masks, hand sanitizers, home cleansers, gowns, and COVID-19 testing kits, among others.

“In these difficult times, local businesses want to step up and offer their services to support Montgomery County’s PPE supply,” said Benjamin H. Wu, President and CEO of MCEDC. “The Local Production Fund is allowing homegrown innovators to pivot their operations and be creative to meet our COVID-19 needs. We’re excited to see the final products and applaud these companies.”

Juan Carlos Castillo, owner of Tierra Floral Design and Tierra Events, has pivoted from creating elaborate floral arrangements and planning events to a new role making PPE. “Thanks to the Local Production Fund grant, we have been able to access all the materials we need to produce face shields for first responders,” said Castillo, whose company received a $20,000 grant.

Aisha Khadar of Sha’s Creations, a maker of organic body products and one of the featured women-owned retailers in Maryland Women’s Business Center’s business incubator–Shop Local Rockville–also expressed gratitude for the infusion of funds. “This grant allows our company to manufacture hand sanitizer and liquid disinfecting soaps for our community,” said Khadar.

The 25 grant recipients are a diverse group with 73% of the funding awarded to companies led by women or minority entrepreneurs. They work in a variety of fields, including IT/educational consulting, robotics, tech production, automotive electronic/lighting, embroidery/screen printing, biotech, commercial printing, farming, artisan manufacturing/retail, alterations/tailors, nonprofits, and farming. The awardees are located in Silver Spring, Germantown, Bethesda/North Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Olney, Potomac, Dickerson and Clarksburg.

The $200,000 Local Production Fund was funded by $100,000 from MCEDC and by a $100,000 special appropriation from the County Council enacted on April 21, 2020. MCEDC accepted applications for the Local Production Fund from April 22-May 1, 2020. Existing Montgomery County companies, sole proprietors and non-profits were eligible to apply for the funding. MCEDC received 51 submittals. As part of their grant agreement, by the end of August, awardees will submit a report to MCEDC detailing their progress and how the funds have been used.

“We are very pleased United has chosen to enter Maryland’s individual market,” said Governor Hogan. “During this public health crisis, it’s more important than ever for Marylanders to have access to a robust marketplace with different options to suit their needs.”

Currently, two insurers – CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Kaiser Permanente – offer individual market health plans through the Maryland marketplace.

“UnitedHealthcare intends to offer individual plans in 2021 that provide strong coverage options for those shopping on Maryland Health Connection,” said Krista Nelson, senior vice president, UnitedHealthcare. “We look forward to working with the State of Maryland to help individuals get access to health care coverage that meets their care needs.”

Nearly 159,000 people enrolled in private plans through the Maryland health insurance marketplace, Maryland Health Connection, during the initial 2020 open enrollment period. Nearly 29,000 people have since enrolled during a special coronavirus open enrollment period, running through June 15.

“Under Governor Hogan’s leadership, Maryland has been successful in lowering premiums and strengthening the marketplace,” said Maryland Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer, Jr. “Another carrier entering the individual market is further proof that we’re moving in the right direction and have successfully stabilized the market.”

Maryland Health Benefit Exchange is a public corporation and independent unit of state government. It was established in 2011 in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) and is responsible for the administration of Maryland Health Connection, an online marketplace where Maryland residents can compare and enroll in health insurance as well as determine eligibility for Medicaid or financial help with private plans.

“We are thrilled to have another insurance company entering the marketplace, so that Marylanders across the state will have more options to choose a health plan that works best for themselves and their families,” said Michele Eberle, executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange.

UnitedHealthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), provides health care coverage and benefits services across the United States.

REDI also promotes the vibrancy of the Rockville community by publicizing the arts, recreational opportunities, local eating and drinking establishments, and much more. Currently, REDI staff participates in daily multi-agency planning calls to identify and implement ways to support businesses and residents during the COVID-19 crisis. It has also created an information portal (https://rockvilleredi.org/covid-19-resources/) and continues to be a resource for Rockville businesses seeking aid during the pandemic.

“Rockville is known for science and technological innovation, renowned educational institutions, accessibility to federal organizations, a vast transportation system, world class talent, nationally-recognized quality of life, and happy, engaged citizens,” said Paul Newman, REDI Board Chair. “We are excited to celebrate all aspects of our great community during Economic Development Week 2020. It is a chance to share some good news at a time when our community needs it most.”

Now in its fifth year, National Economic Development Week was created by the International Economic Development Council, the largest professional membership organization for economic developers, in 2016 to recognize the unique role that economic development has in creating vibrant communities with strong economies.

“REDI is in the business of connection,” said Cynthia Stewart, REDI Executive Director. “Our efforts support programs and services that expand opportunities for businesses, simplify doing business in Rockville, and enhance our innovative and diverse community. We invite everyone to follow our social media channels—LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook—to learn more about our services, successes from the past year, and our great expectations for the future.”

REDI offers guidance and support to companies at all stages of growth through a variety of services, which include business funding and incentives, site selection assistance, area data and demographic expertise, networking and referrals, assistance for businesses and developers navigating the project permit and approvals process, and workforce development connections. It also educates stakeholders by sharing relevant news, events, and opportunities for the business community and the community-at-large.

For additional information ways REDI can help your business thrive in Rockville, contact Cindy Stewart Rivarde at cindy@rockvilleredi.org. 

About Rockville Economic Development, Inc.
Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) was formed in 1997 as a 501(c)(3) to identify and develop economic opportunities to help the City of Rockville prosper. For more than 20 years, REDI has provided businesses with the necessary tools to launch, locate, and expand in Rockville and continues to offer guidance and support to business ventures in the city.  For more information, visit www.rockvilleredi.org.

About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council is the leading international association for professional economic developers. IEDC supports the work of more than 5,000 economic developers to create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, universities and a variety of other institutions. To learn more about Economic Development Week, visit IEDC online at iedconline.org/edw.

“Ramping up our supply of PPE is a critical building block in our state’s recovery plan, and we are taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to secure these resources for our front line workers,” said Governor Hogan. “I want to thank and commend the local businesses who have shifted their operations and increased production to help us save lives and flatten the curve.”

The $5 million program was created in response to a growing demand for items to protect health care and front line workers, including face shields, surgical masks and gowns and gloves, as well as items for hospitals, like thermometers, respirators, and ventilators. The program received more than 200 applications, and additional grants will be made available in the coming weeks.

“We quickly created this program to address an immediate critical need, and our business community has responded in a big way,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “Many of these companies have had to rapidly ramp up production of these items, while others pivoted completely from their normal operations and came up with a creative way they could help, with some adding new jobs in the process.”

The following Maryland companies are receiving grant funding: