Anti-Displacement Strategies, COVID-19 Small Business Assistance, Non-Profit Capacity-Building along the Purple Line Corridor
The Challenge:
How to support diverse businesses and entrepreneurs in communities of color along Montgomery and Prince George’s Purple Line corridor.
Our Strategy:
OUC provided research, advice and recommendations to the Purple Line Corridor Coalition (PLCC) for preparation of the Small Business Strategy Report (July 2021) that is guiding the coalition on how to support diverse businesses and entrepreneurs in communities of color along the Purple Line corridor - a light-rail line from New Carrollton to Bethesda, Maryland. The Strategy Report is also helping to inform the economic development strategy for a Federal Transit Administration Planning Grant and guide resource development needs along the corridor. OUC is also providing community engagement services by facilitating the Small Business Action Team’s meetings to coordinate policies and strategies that will support diverse retail and services along the corridor. OUC facilitated various sessions to improve and coordinate service among service providers, better determine service areas, and address the capacity gaps of existing organizations as well as local governments. In addition, OUC provides strategic advice to the PLCC, organized webinars on COVID-19 relief programs including the Federal government’s paycheck protection program in both English and Spanish, coordinated state and local advocacy efforts, and provided guidance on how to implement place-based management along the corridor.
Progress to Date:
The Small Business Support Strategy report informed the PLCC’s larger economic development strategy as part of its planning grant from the Federal Transit Administration.
Created an Action Plan - a roadmap with policies and activities to implement in 2021 and 2022
Strategies for improving non-profit board governance, staff training, and resource development for place-based management such as Main Street along the corridor.
Additional funding for business-serving non-profits along the Purple Line by Montgomery County and Prince George’s County
Additional marketing support and events for micro, minority and immigrant-owned small business along the corridor leading to increased customer foot-traffic and on-line orders.
mochoa@ochoaurbancollaborative.com | 202-413-6910