MOVE Grant Program

The MOVE Grant Program helps businesses offset some of the expenses related to the business’s first commercial lease in the County.

Grant Amount

Businesses may receive a grant of $8.00 per square foot for executing its first commercial lease in the County for Class A or B office space. The grant amount for Class A and B office space is capped at $80,000, even if the leased space is greater than 10,000 square feet. Businesses in the life sciences and advanced technology (e.g., satellite, CHIP, or medical device) industries that engage in research and development (R&D) and that occupy laboratory space are eligible to receive a grant of $10 per square foot, capped at $100,000. The MOVE Grant Program award is a one-time award. See below for specific qualification requirements for this program.

Qualifications

1. Applicants must be executing their first commercial lease in the County.
   • businesses relocating or expanding from outside the County;
   • start-ups or homebased businesses executing its first commercial lease in the County; or
   • businesses relocating from co-working or incubator space that are executing its first commercial lease and have not previously received a grant from the “Move Grant Program”. Proof of the business’ coworking or incubator space agreement must be included as part of the grant application.
2. Applicants must execute a direct lease with a landlord for at least 36 months for Class A or B commercial office space in Montgomery County. Classification of the space is verified through CoStar as of the date of application.
   • Class A or B flex space, as defined by CoStar, is allowed for businesses that can demonstrate laboratory space is required as evidenced by its submitted business proposal.
     Shared office space providers must submit an occupancy permit if a lease was not executed.
3. The application receipt date must be within 180 days from the date of lease execution.
4. Craft alcohol production companies (breweries, cideries, distillers and wineries) are eligible to receive a grant from the Move Grant Program for the portion of leased space devoted to production, not retail.
5. Applications are automatically disqualified if the business:
   • previously operated in commercial space in the County through an assumed lease;
   • previously operated in commercial space in the County through a sublease;
   • previously operated in commercial space in the County through colocation and have executed a new lease in their name;
   • owns the property and leases it to the same or subsidiary business; or
   • operates as a retail, restaurant, or independent financial or insurance agent/broker establishments. Independent agent/broker establishments are defined as a sole proprietorship that primarily sells products underwritten by a third-party.

Applications will be reviewed, and the applicant will receive notification of approval, denial, or steps to remedy if applicable. All awards are subject to the availability of funds approved by the County Council.

Required Documentation

Before continuing with the application, please ensure you have the following required documentation:

1. Copy of the articles of incorporation or similar documentation of business.
2. Copy of the signed lease or occupancy permit for shared office providers.
3. Evidence of occupancy at the address of the leased space (e.g., moving or utility bill, use of occupancy, etc.)
4. Business plan or business proposal.
5. Floor plan of craft alcohol production facility evidencing the square footage of production space (if applicable).

We're here to support you

If you have questions about this grant program, qualifications, or need assistance, please contact the Montgomery County Business Center at [email protected] . A Business Center staff will follow up with you in two business days.

Montgomery County Business Center

• Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe St, Rockville MD 20850
• 240-777-0311
• [email protected]