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Business Support Organizations

Montgomery County has many organizations that support business owners in a variety of ways. These organizations provide 1-on-1 business consulting services and technical assistance, online and in-person training, and much more!

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County-Funded Organizations

These organizations receive funds from Montgomery County to support your small business at low or no cost to you. Some are focused primarily on certain target industry sectors or communities. However, the majority of programs, even for these organizations are open to all small businesses in the County.

Organization Description Key Programs
Foundation for the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce, Inc A 501(c)3 organization formed to serve the Asian American Community through charitable activity and educational events. --
Black Business Council The Black Business Council of Montgomery County (BBC) is a member-led organization comprised of Black business owners with a professional commitment to helping each other achieve success. BBC members want to grow personally and professionally and understand that building long-term relationships based on trust allows them to candidly share their business challenges/opportunities, and benefit from thoughtful peer feedback. Black Business Database (BBD)
Crossroads Community Food Network Crossroads Community Food Network is building a healthier, more equitable food system in the primarily immigrant Takoma/Langley Crossroads community by bringing together and supporting those who grow, make, and eat fresh, healthy food. Crossroads’ Microenterprise Development Program (MDP) is a free, bilingual monthly workshop series and one-on-one technical assistance program that supports small-scale food business entrepreneurs. Crossroads' shared-use TPSS Community Kitchen provides affordable food preparation and storage space.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County (HCCMC) HCCMC is the premier forum for Hispanic and minority-owned businesses in Montgomery County. HCCMC provides solutions for matters affecting Hispanic businesses, advocating on behalf of the organization’s membership to achieve economic, educational, and social equality under the law.
  • Private networking events
  • Tailored workshops and seminars
  • Individualized consulting sessions
  • Supplier diversity
  • Advocacy events with Federal, State, and local outreach
ignITe Hub A vibrant, hybrid collaborative environment with cutting-edge Apple technology to learn, innovate, solve community problems, spur entrepreneurship, spark career interests and deepen the community’s tech talent in Montgomery County.
  • Attend course, training or boot camp to learn how to integrate technology and use design thinking tools to enhance business plan and services.
  • Attend a guest speaker event, such as Future of Tech Lunch & Learns and Fireside Chat Career series to meet inspiring tech leaders and entrepreneurs.
Latino Economic Development Center The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) equips Latinos and other underserved communities with the skills and financial tools to create a better future for their families and communities. Participants in our programs learn how to build their long-term financial security by buying and staying in their homes, taking control of decisions affecting their apartment buildings, and starting or expanding their small businesses.
Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce MBCC assists in the development, growth, and success of Black businesses in Maryland by advocating for and addressing issues that impact the business community, hosting programs and events that promote business development, and providing platforms for networking and strategic partnership development.
  • Leadership Academy
  • Financial Literacy Series
  • Government Contracting Series (County, State and Federal Series)
  • Business Start Up Boot Camp
  • Legal Boot Camp for Businesses
  • Access to Capital
Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) As a premier, well recognized part of Maryland's entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Maryland SBDC provides consulting and training services to current and aspiring business owners while connecting these business owners with resources and personnel throughout our state who can assist in moving these business owners' dreams to reality, resulting in successful businesses and greater state and local economic growth. The Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers at no cost individualized consulting to business owners from start-up to established businesses.
It also offers comprehensive training programs for those in the preventure, start-up phase of beginning the business ownership venture to executive training, with most classes at low to no cost.
Maryland Women’s Business Center Once known as the Rockville Women’s Business Center, we were born from a special initiative of the Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI), a nonprofit organization to help businesses grow and expand in the city of Rockville. Thanks to continuing support from our partners, Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) has expanded to reach more women business owners across three locations. The Maryland Women’s Business Center supports pre-venture, start-up, and existing women-owned businesses. We scale business growth with specialized seminars and workshops, one-on-one and group business counseling, and access to resources. Explore their services to take your business to the next level.
Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is the official public-private economic development organization representing Montgomery County, Maryland. The mission is to help businesses start, grow and relocate in Montgomery County by helping them gain access to top talent, business and market resources, and prime locations. Created in 2016, MCEDC is led by a Board of Directors of business executives. Business referrals for businesses of every size, including the following:
  • Commercial space
  • Incubators
  • Potential clients and customers
  • Potential partners
  • Banks and financing
  • Chambers and affinity groups including support for small, minority and women-owned businesses
  • Business planning
  • County agencies
  • Access to workforce
County financial programs:
the MOVE program, ACE Loan fund, and EDF
The Montgomery County Food Council The Montgomery County Food Council is a nonprofit organization that serves as the primary connection point for businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and residents around food system issues in our County. Our work cultivates a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable local food system by enhancing food access for the over 100,000 at risk for hunger, expanding food education opportunities for all residents, supporting our County’s farms and food and beverage businesses, and addressing the impact of local food production, distribution, consumption and recycling on our natural resources.
  • MoCo Made Program
  • Online searchable Food & Beverage Guide
  • MoCo Food Map
WorkSource Montgomery WorkSource Montgomery is the county's fiduciary agent responsible for all workforce development needs across Montgomery County, MD. Part of the work we carry out consists of operating Montgomery County's American Job Centers, providing employment & training services to local job seekers, and assisting local employers to help meet their current and future hiring needs. We offer many resources and services at no cost to job seekers and businesses in the county; for example, free workshops and trainings, access to technology, job placement and career assistance, coordination of hiring events for employers, applicant screening, and much more!
  • Grant Relief for On-boarding Workers (GROW)
  • On-the-Job Training (OJT)
  • SkillUp® Montgomery
  • “No Cost” Support to the following businesses:
    • Candidate pre-screening, candidate matching, retention strategies and labor market research
    • Recruitment events, job fairs and occupation exploration information sessions
    • Advertising on WSM website, Maryland Workforce Exchange database, workforce partner websites, WSM newsletter & social media channels
    • Professional workforce assistance and virtual recruiting system to free you up for day-to-day business needs.

Other Business Support Organizations

These organizations are among others that support small businesses in the County. Many require membership or other compensation for their services. The County lists these organizations as a public service and encourages individual businesses to evaluate each for their ability to meet your business needs.

Organization Description Key Programs
Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce The Chamber Supports, inspires and advocates for business to better our community and we strive to be the cornerstone for business, growth and prosperity in Greater Bethesda.
  • Membership Development Committee
  • NextExecs
  • Real Estate Committee
  • Economic Development Committee
  • Senior Market Group
  • Healthcare and Wellness Committee
  • Women’s Networking Group
  • Multi Cultural Group
  • Monthly “Off the Clock” Networking
  • Annual Events
Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce The many initiatives of the Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce include working with REDI, our economic development partner, positive collaboration with the City government, and supporting the community through advocacy and outreach programs. Our tailored committees and specific mastermind groups are an important part of the organization and we encourage you to get involved. There are many benefits to being a member of the Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce.
Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce Founded in 1993, the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce is a vibrant, independent nonprofit organization of dynamic businesses leaders committed to the economic prosperity and civic well-being of the greater Silver Spring community. The organization’s mission is to enhance the economic prosperity of greater Silver Spring through robust promotion of its member businesses and unrelenting advocacy on their behalf.

Influence & Advocacy - GSSCC is the undisputed voice of and for member businesses and their interests, having built long-term and long-lasting relationships with legislators, policymakers, and government agencies in Montgomery County and Annapolis. 

Building Connections that Grow Business - At the heart of GSSCC are efforts to connect members with each other and the resources they need, often through Networking Events that are designed and produced to help members build relationships and seize new business opportunities; understand important trends and developments; and enhance business success. Other popular programs include Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Celebrations, Educational Seminars & Webinars, the annual Business Golf Classic, and the ever-popular SchmoozaPalooza Business Expo & Networking Extravaganza.

Savings – Through the Chamber’s Energy Purchasing Cooperative, member businesses and their employees can reduce their monthly electricity and natural gas bills. 

Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce The GGCC is the “go to” influential force for businesses in Upper Montgomery County. Comprising more than 400 business members, the Chamber delivers the focused impact and creative solutions that set us apart.
  • Networking Events – Over 30 networking events each year including breakfast, lunch and after-five networking opportunities
  • Ribbon Cuttings – We provide ribbon cutting services for our members.
  • Business Consultation – To help small businesses launch, grow, and thrive.
Maryland Tech Council The Maryland Tech Council is the largest technology and life sciences trade association in the state. We are a collaborative community that is building world-class technology and life science industries by giving members a forum to learn, share, advocate, and connect. Cost Savings Program, BioHub, Venture Mentoring Services, Business Continuity Task Force, Advocacy, Technology Inclusivity Initiative, Captial M, Bio Innovation Conference, Digital Transformation Summit
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) is a membership organization that accelerates members’ success through effective advocacy, programs, and events. Its membership includes small, medium, and large organizations representing a wide range of industries.

Signature Events

  • Business Awards Dinner 
  • Annual Dinner 
  • Annual Legislative Reception 
  • Public Safety Awards  

Advocacy

The Chamber advocates at the federal, state, and local levels of government on behalf of Metro Maryland’s business community. We host 4 advocacy committee briefings:

  • Economic Development Committee
  • Infrastructure & Land Use Committee
  • Legislative Affairs Committee
  • GovConNet Council (by invitation only)

Government Contracting Events

  • Business EXCELerator Series
  • NOAA Small Business Industry Day

Networking Opportunities

  • MCCC After Hours
  • Virtual and In-Person Mixers

Other Guest Speakers

The Olney Chamber of Commerce The Olney Chamber of Commerce works to support, promote, and represent the business interests of its members, while also supporting the greater Olney community. We provide many services for our members, including networking events, large-scale community events, social media promotion, business seminars, listing on our online business directory, referrals, procurement opportunities, advocating for legislation and government on issues relating to business, and more.

Add your organization to this page!

Does your organization support the Montgomery County business community and you’d like to be listed on this page?

If we list your information here, it is with the understanding that you will link to our Business Center site (www.MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/Business) on your site.

Listings are available to organizations located or that support businesses in Montgomery County, Maryland. All organization listings are reviewed and moderated by the Montgomery County Business Center before they are published. Your listing may be edited for grammar and style. You will be notified when your organization listing is activated. Questions? Email businesscenter@montgomerycountymd.gov.

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