FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2022

CONTACT
Lynn Stander
Senior Communications Manager, MCEDC
301.922.8017
lynn.stander@thinkmoco.com

Congressionally directed federal funding secured by U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin for the Arts & Brewery District

Rockville, Md. — As part of the Fiscal Year 2022 federal budget agreement signed into law last week by President Biden, Downtown Silver Spring will be the beneficiary of a $300,000 congressional appropriation for economic development to support the Arts & Brewery District. The funding will help strengthen the economy for one of Montgomery County’s critical business centers.

The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) will receive and administer the funding which will continue the work in progress to invigorate the Downtown Silver Spring Arts & Brewery District. The improvements will encourage businesses and visitors to Downtown Silver Spring, a welcoming urban district and home to a thriving business and entertainment community; breweries including Denizens Brewing Co., Silver Branch Brewing, Astro Lab Brewing; and almost 160 restaurants, delis and bars. Silver Spring is a designated Arts & Entertainment District by the State of Maryland.

To support the Arts & Brewery District, MCEDC is working through the Montgomery County Commerce Cabinet in partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), the Silver Spring Urban District and the Silver Spring Regional Services Center, among other community stakeholders. The Montgomery County Commerce Cabinet, chaired by MCEDC, is a 14-member entity of executive agencies and organizations with a significant economic development mission. 

As part of its Downtown Silver Spring initiative, the Commerce Cabinet coordinated the first round of funding for the Arts & Brewery District with $100,000 from MCDOT in Fall 2021. Congressman Raskin’s $300,000 federal appropriation represents a second round of funding for potential revitalization efforts such as:

Infrastructure upgrades to include additional streetscape, pedestrian-friendly walkways, lighting and signage to guide visitors along the public art walk and between the breweries; 

Job training partnerships with Montgomery College to train for highly skilled positions with breweries such as brew masters, facilities and equipment maintenance, and other specialized skill needs;

Pop up space for local farm breweries during events and weekends which could include brewers in the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve and others outside of the downtown Silver Spring area;

Murals and other public art displays; and 

Marketing and promotion of the Downtown Silver Spring Arts & Brewery District to attract residents and visitors to the area.

“Dynamic federal-local partnerships help our Eighth District community thrive,” said Congressman Jamie Raskin. “I’m elated that President Biden has signed into law funding to support Downtown Silver Spring’s Arts & Brewery District, one of Montgomery County’s exciting business centers. This project will create economic development opportunities and invigorate Silver Spring, and I’m proud to see the project through as your congressional representative.”

“We appreciate Congressman Jamie Raskin’s assistance to provide the Silver Spring community with this significant appropriation,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “The Downtown Silver Spring Arts & Brewery District is a game changer for our County’s economy and re-establishes this community as a destination location for dining, entertainment, and good times. Representative Raskin is a national hero for his courage and leadership on Capitol Hill, but his leadership, advocacy and character is not new to the residents of Montgomery County. Throughout his career in public service, he has always and continues to demonstrate exemplary constituent service and support of our residents.” 

“Over the next few months, MCEDC will convene community stakeholders to execute revitalization efforts for the Arts & Brewery District. We look forward to working with the many partners who are committed to Downtown Silver Spring’s continued prosperity,” said Benjamin H. Wu, MCEDC President and CEO. “We are grateful to Congressman Raskin for championing this important economic development project.”

“Visitors and residents are drawn to Silver Spring’s unique mix of diverse restaurants, award-winning breweries, walkability, vibrant shopping and thriving cultural arts experiences. With its close proximity to Washington, D.C. and Red Line Metro access, Silver Spring is well-positioned to grow its local tourism economy through the creation of a new Arts & Brewery District,” Visit Montgomery President & CEO Kelly Groff said. “Visit Montgomery is looking forward to collaborating with MCEDC and our community partners on this initiative.”

ABOUT MCEDC

The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is the official public-private economic development organization representing Montgomery County, Maryland. Created in 2016, MCEDC is led by a Board of Directors of business executives. Its mission is to help businesses start, grow and relocate in Montgomery County by helping them gain access to top talent, business and market intelligence and prime locations. For more information, visit our website. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.