Montgomery County Business Center: staff say 2,100 businesses reached in 2024; leaders seek funding for deeper legal, marketing support

Gene Smith, manager of the Montgomery County Business Center, told the county’s Economic Development Committee that the center directly assisted or engaged more than 2,100 businesses in 2024 and has expanded programming to reach entrepreneurs across the county.

The update, presented to Chair Natalie Fanny Gonzales and committee members ahead of FY26 budget discussions, outlined the center’s staffing, services and areas where additional resources could expand impact. "In 2024, we were able to assist, engage, or directly assist and engage more than 2,100 businesses," Smith said, adding that "direct assistance isn't a mere forward email" but typically includes follow-up, client services and hands‑on help.

Why it matters: committee members said the business center’s work informs budget choices that affect small businesses countywide. Ken Hartman, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, praised the team’s outreach, calling it "frontline direct proactive work" that improves the county’s business climate.

What the center does and recent results The presentation said the center is fully staffed and has four business liaisons who perform targeted outreach across county regions; staff noted limits in coverage given current team size. The center also manages several county programs, including a micro‑loan program, SBIR grant matching, and other contract-funded services. Smith said the county maintains about $1,800,000 in contracts with resource partners that deliver additional business services.

The center reported new cohort-style programming in 2024, including a multicultural accelerator run with M&T Bank and a pathways-to-entrepreneurship partnership with Income Generation Group and Montgomery College. Smith described the accelerator as a "multi‑week cohort" that culminated in a pitch contest in which three businesses received small county grants.

Gaps and budget requests Committee members pressed staff for specifics about recurring needs ahead of the budget. Smith told the committee the business liaisons are hearing repeated requests for deeper legal help — beyond one‑hour consultations offered by partners — to assist businesses with leasing and contract disputes, and for enhanced marketing support and public‑safety coordination. "A lot of businesses do come to us asking, like, hey, is there a grant to get my business started? Is there a grant to help me do x, y, and z? And the answer is usually no," Smith said when describing capital needs.

Council member Balcom and others said the liaisons are well positioned to identify patterns and urged the center to formalize reporting of those trends for budget deliberations. Chair Gonzales requested a written update on grants and micro‑loan outcomes prior to budget votes; staff indicated finance would share a spreadsheet with those details.

Next steps Committee members recommended closer coordination with local chambers and regional service centers to extend the center’s reach. Staff said they will prepare more detailed reporting for the committee ahead of the FY26 budget and continue to develop cohort programs and a client relationship management system to better track outcomes.