Housing and Community Development Office: 7500 Maple Ave. Takoma Park, MD 20912 301.891.7119 301.270.4568 FAX Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday

Current Economic Development Projects

• The Carroll Avenue Streetscape Project will strengthen the link between the commercial areas in Old Town and Takoma Junction by improving pedestrian conditions.
• The Enterprise Zone is an initiative designed to encourage business development and job growth in certain sections of Takoma Park.
• The Takoma Park Gateway and Wayfinding Project will lead to the design and installation of a gateway and wayfinding signage system that will help visitors to find their way around town more easily.
• New Hampshire Avenue Initiative
• Neighborhood Commercial Areas
  

Business Associations

• Old Takoma Business Association 240.253.4229
• Takoma/Langley Crossroads Development Authority, 301.445.7910
• Maryland's International Corridor Community Development Corporation, 301.657.9900 ext. 129
• Long Branch Business Association 301.946.0882 ext. 15
• The City is working with businesses to create a New Hampshire Avenue Business Association. 301.891.7219

Business Resources

The following links provide information about and for businesses in Takoma Park.

• The "Takoma Park Business Directory and Survival Guide" is available in hard-copy form at the Municipal Building, 7500 Maple Ave
• Main Street Takoma (offers facade grants)
• Old Takoma Business Association Business directory
• Takoma Park Farmer's Market
• Small Business Development Center
• Montgomery County Business Center
• State of Maryland Business Assistance
• United States Small Business Administration

Enterprise Zone

Takoma Park and Montgomery County worked together to create the Takoma Park/Long Branch Enterprise Zone. It was designated by the State in 2003 and includes seven project areas primarily located along Piney Branch Road, University Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue. Businesses that choose to locate in the Empowerment Zone are eligible for tax incentives such as property tax credits for capital improvements and income tax credits for job creation. Other initiatives include the green tape program for fast track permitting. For more information about the types of incentives available, refer to this description from the State of Maryland.

The goals of the Enterprise Zone are as follows:

• Encourage new business investment
• Create jobs
• Improve the attractiveness of commercial areas
• Diversify the mix of goods and services

Montgomery County has not yet published a guide for taking advantage of its benefits. For general information, please refer to the County's Silver Spring Enterprise Zone guide. Many of the benefits described there apply to the Takoma Park /Long Branch Enterprise Zone. Or, call Mel Tull with the Silver Spring Regional Center at 301.565.7366 for more details. For more information about the Enterprise Zone tax credit and other business tax credits, click here . The City is actively working with business in the Enterprise Zone along the New Hampshire Corridor. If you have further questions, please contact David Suls at 301.891.7205.

Neighborhood Commercial Area Improvements

The 2000 Takoma Park Master Plan made recommendations for six neighborhood commercial areas of the City: Flower/Piney Branch; Erie/Flower; Maple Avenue; Sligo Creek Parkway/New Hampshire Avenue; Maryland Gateway; and Old Takoma (including the Junction).

In 2007, workshops were held in each of six neighborhood commercial areas to review the recommendations of the Master Plan and to get input from area residents and businesses on small-scale improvements to the areas. Since then, staff has researched these recommendations for feasibility, and the City Council has allocated some funding for small-scale improvements for fiscal year 2008.

The City organized an Open House on March 10, 2008 to provide an opportunity for the public to prioritize small scale improvements in these commercial areas.

We would like your feedback! Look at the information for the area you would like to comment on, and fill out the short survey to submit your feedback. You may comment on more then one area. For more information, contact Melanie Isis at (301) 891-7231. Please provide your input on commercial area improvements by ranking your preferred improvements through Monday, March 24, 10 AM:

Gateway and Wayfinding Initiative

The City of Takoma Park recently began planning for creating better ways for people to navigate through the City. The Gateway and Wayfinding Project will lead the installation of a gateway and wayfinding signage system that will help visitors to find their way around town more easily. The initiative will use signs, maps and banners to help motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians understand when they are entering or exiting the City, and to find their way to its parks, businesses and other key destinations. Wayfinding helps create a sense of place for residents by defining the City visually. Wayfinding helps visitors who have never been to Takoma Park before.

Click here for more information about the Wayfinding Initiative.