Takoma Park Healthy Business Initiative Keeps Supporting Local Businesses
Published on: Friday, August 28, 2020 News

Takoma Park Healthy Business Initiative Keeps Supporting Local Businesses

Takoma Park Healthy Business Initiative 

Background:

The Takoma Park Healthy Business Initiative is a response to the ongoing needs of our local businesses in the face of COVID-19 challenges and changes to business operations. The Healthy Business Initiative will support Takoma Park businesses in creating business environments that are safe and healthy for business owners, employees, clients, and customers. This initiative includes four crucial small business support programs that will help our Takoma Park businesses impacted by public health emergency closures and stay-at-home orders begin to adjust business operations to stop the spread of COVID-19 and adhere to state and county public health re-opening rules and guidance.

Business Support Program #1: Outdoor Seating & Hand Sanitizing Stations

The Takoma Streetery on Laurel Avenue is open with outside seating available. Please make note that all social distancing and mask requirements are in effect.

In support of Takoma Park’s small businesses and needed steps toward healthy re-opening, the City Council authorized the closure of the northbound side of Laurel Avenue for outdoor seating, sales, and customer pick-up.  As of June 12, the side of Laurel Avenue, where businesses are located, is closed to allow for outdoor dining and enjoyment, curbside pick-up, and other public uses to assist Takoma Park’s businesses, employees, and residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can share your experience with the Laurel Avenue closure in this online community feedback survey.

Additionally, hand sanitizing stations will be available near the Takoma Streetery and throughout the City’s business districts in Old Town Takoma, the Takoma Langley Crossroads, and Flower Avenue to encourage cleanliness and reduce the spread of germs and viruses.

The City will continue to work with businesses, residents, and commercial property owners to provide additional outdoor dining and shopping options.  An updated list of restaurants that offer outdoor seating can be found at the “Takoma Park To-Go” website.

Business Support Program #2: Public Health Signage

Public health signs will be supplied to local storefront businesses for free to remind the public of mask requirements and social distancing rules. The signage will include messages in multiple languages for wall and floor display. Signage distribution will be coordinated with Takoma/Langley Crossroads and the Old Takoma Business Association. If you are members of these associations, you have already been counted in the initial order of signs.

If you are not a member of either association and your business needs printed public health signage, please submit your request using the Public Health Signage Request Form. 

Business Support Program #3: Business Recovery Cleaning

 

 

 

 

 

Business Recovery Cleaning program will provide financial assistance for deep cleaning and disinfecting following the positive test of an owner or employee.  To ensure that disinfectant products are CDC registered to destroy the COVID-19 virus, businesses will be encouraged to utilize cleaning providers arranged by the City. Assistance of up to $1500 in cleaning will be provided.

Applications for Business Recovery Cleaning can be found here: Business Recovery Cleaning Application. 

Business Support Program #4: Healthy Business Grant

 

 

 

 

 

The Takoma Park Healthy Business Grant program assists businesses in making necessary operation improvements to adhere to public health mandates. Grant award amounts will range from $500 to $2,000 unless greater need is determined. The grant will also reimburse business owners for re-opening expenses incurred during the initial Montgomery County, MD Phase 1 re-opening on June 1, 2020.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • Small businesses located in Takoma Park with a storefront or office space that receives customers and clients (including restaurants, retail, professional services, healthcare offices, and daycare centers) are eligible to apply.
  • The grant may be used for the following business needs in response to COVID-19:
    • Purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) for owners and employees.
    • Purchase of cleaning supplies and disinfectant.
    • COVID-19 testing of owners and/or employees.
    • Other adjustments to business operations to comply with and support re-opening rules and guidelines.

Applications can be submitted online here: Healthy Business Grant Application.  (Round 2)

Application Timeline:
  • Round 1: Closes July 20
  • Round 1 Awards announced by August 7th
  • Round 2: Opens August 28
  • Round 2: Closes September 7th
  • Round 2 Awards announced by September 25th
  • Round 3: To be determined

The City will accept applications for review on an ongoing basis according to the timeline and until funding is expended.  Applications can be submitted online here: Healthy Business Grant Application   (Round 1 Application closed)

Questions regarding the Healthy Business Initiative can be sent to Samira Cook Gaines: samiraCG@takomaparkmd.gov