Rockville Economic Development, Inc., Rockville’s economic development arm charged with helping businesses launch, locate and expand in Rockville, spent the past fiscal year identifying economic challenges and highlighting the city as a premier location for business, REDI said in its latest annual report.
REDI CEO Cindy Rivarde and members of REDI’s board and staff presented the report to the Mayor and Council on Sept. 18.
The report for Fiscal Year 2023, which ended June 30, detailed REDI’s focus on business retention, expansion and attraction; marketing and tourism; creative industries and placemaking; and support for small business and entrepreneurs; including:
- The completion of a survey of Rockville-area businesses, which found that businesses wanted more market information, networking opportunities and a better understanding of impactful marketing.
- Receiving a $100,000 placemaking grant from Montgomery County to gather information, foster collaboration between businesses and create a strategy for the light-industrial Rock East District.
- Expanding the Small Business Impact Fund, to provide grants to businesses throughout the city, and the MOVE/Expansion program, including retailers in the program that provides grants to businesses moving to or expanding in the city.
- Working with the City of Rockville and Montgomery College on a stronger relationship that includes learning opportunities for students with Rockville businesses.
- Creating the Global Bites pilot program and using the ExploreRockville.org website to highlight Rockville as a destination for international dining and business investment.
- Facilitating over 100 virtual workshops, attended by over 1,550 entrepreneurs.
Find the full report and video of the presentation with the Sept. 18 Mayor and Council meeting listing at www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter.
Learn more at www.rockvilleredi.org.