The county formally launched its Business Connect program to support new and growing businesses during an event held yesterday at the Silver Spring Library.

The program was piloted at the Upcounty Regional Services Center in Germantown, and there are plans to expand the program to other regional areas over the next year, including East County, Bethesda and Mid-County, according to a press release.

Business Connect features classes, counseling and connections and includes free and low-cost business workshops and training sessions taught by the county’s partners.

“The classes feature a variety of topics from marketing a business to financial planning to negotiating a lease. Counseling sessions are available individually and connections include resources available from Montgomery County government,” the release said.

The program will be offered in several area locations including the Long Branch Community Center, the Long Branch Library, and the Silver Spring Library.

The Business Connect program is managed by the Business Solutions Group, which includes the county’s small business navigator and business liaison officers. Program partners are Impact Silver Spring, the Latino Economic Development Center, Life Asset, the Maryland Small Business Development Center, the Maryland Women’s Business Center and SCORE.

During the event, County Executive Marc Elrich also announced two free programs, Gale Business: DemographicsNow and Gale Business: Plan Builder, which connect aspiring and existing business owners with online resources for business planning, will be available in the county’s libraries.

Montgomery County graphic