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.