Rockville Small Business Impact Fund Celebrates Anniversary

ROCKVILLE, Md. – December 16, 2019—One year after its creation, the Rockville Small Business Impact Fund is living up to its name by helping local businesses positively impact Rockville’s economy and workforce. During its pilot year, the fund supported two businesses—Dawson’s Market and The Cottage Monet—both of which boosted economic vitality, fostered community engagement, and provided public benefits in the Rockville Town Center area.

Bart Yablonsky, the new owner of Dawson’s Market, re-opened the specialty grocery store on December 20, 2019. He used funds to improve store operations, expand product offerings, hire former and new employees, boost employee morale, and maintain strong community engagement.

Dawson’s Market offers many public benefits to the City of Rockville. By re-opening the market, Yablonsky retained and created new jobs. He employs people with disabilities, a traditionally under-employed population and, in late October, Dawson’s Market received the Inclusion Works in Leadership Award from SEEC, an area nonprofit organization that provides a wide range of community support to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live more fulfilling lives.

Dawson’s Market was awarded “Second Best Happy Hour in Montgomery County” by Bethesda Magazine, and Yablonsky continues to support business-to-community engagement by providing a space that brings people together through social and educational events and using social media to promote other local businesses

The Cottage Monet is a minority, woman-owned lifestyle boutique founded by Caya Cagri. Cagri and her team offer clients a fresh approach to gift shopping by offering inspirational design and products, paired with expert customer service. Cagri used funds primarily for operational improvements, which have led to steady business growth. Her sales have increased every month since March, except for May, and she reported robust sales on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. She supports the Rockville community by helping students from local elementary schools envision and learn to operate a retail store.

Cagri also created a website and social media plan and intends to hire a new employee to manage both communication channels to increase her business presence in the community and grow sales. Her business-to-community engagements include hosting in-store events and advertising events and other businesses around Rockville Town Center. In 2020, Cagri plans to expand her community partnerships and do even more cross-promotion with other local businesses.
Created in November 2019 by the Rockville Mayor and Council, the Rockville Small Business Impact Fund helps stimulate growth in two metro-area performance districts, which are primarily the areas in and adjacent to the Rockville Town Center and the Twinbrook metro stations.

For 2020, the City of Rockville approved $400,000 in funding. Contributions from other organizations, like Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, increase the total amount available to Rockville businesses.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To date, three companies have submitted applications for 2020. Qualified existing and new businesses that are located in either performance district should apply online if they offer substantial public benefits, including:

• Retaining and creating new jobs, with an emphasis on traditionally under-employed populations.
• Retaining and expanding key business uses and services.
• Encouraging positive social impact.
• Supporting business-to-community engagement.

In addition to the Rockville Small Business Impact Fund, REDI successfully manages other business incentives, including the Rockville MOVE Program and the Business Expansion Fund. Businesses that are ready to move or expand should explore these options, which can be combined with Montgomery County initiatives, such as the Montgomery County MOVE Program, for even greater assistance.

For additional information about the Rockville Small Business Impact Fund or other business incentives, contact Ryan Gandy, Deputy Director, at (301) 355-2202 or gandy@rockvilleredi.org.