Montgomery County Celebrates Long Branch’s Designation as a Main Street Maryland Community

For Immediate Release: Friday, January 23, 2026

Montgomery County Government today celebrated the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's designation of Long Branch as the newest Main Street Maryland Community, marking a major milestone in the revitalization of one of the County's most culturally vibrant commercial districts.

"I've had the pleasure of visiting Long Branch, and I've seen how much it has to offer the people of Montgomery County," said Housing & Community Development Secretary Jake Day. "The Designated Main Street Maryland community status means Long Branch has the support of the Main Street Maryland Program and the Department to achieve its full potential as a thriving, lovable place for businesses and residents."

Long Branch, located between downtown Silver Spring and Takoma Park, is known for its family-owned businesses, international restaurants, public art, and strong neighborhood identity. The forthcoming Purple Line stations in Long Branch are expected to bring increased foot traffic, economic activity, and new opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

"This designation reflects years of hard work and sustained commitment to Long Branch," said County Executive Marc Elrich. "I want to thank Governor Moore and Secretary Day for their partnership and congratulate Montgomery Housing Partnership for its leadership in strengthening local businesses, preserving community character, and investing in Long Branch's future. I also want to recognize Councilmember Kate Stewart, the District 20 Delegation, Montgomery County National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), the Montgomery Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA), and the Silver Spring Regional Services Center for their steady advocacy and on-the-ground collaboration that helped make this possible. But, most importantly, this designation belongs to the residents and businesses of Long Branch for their commitment to fostering an inclusive, vibrant community."

Long Branch becomes the latest Designated Main Street Maryland community, the highest tier in the Main Street Maryland program. As the official coordinating program for Maryland by the National Main Street Center, this program focuses on strengthening Maryland's downtown commercial districts through local investment and revitalization.

"This is an important milestone for Long Branch, and I am excited that they are joining the Main Street program," said Council President Natali Fani-González. "As the Purple Line comes online in the next couple of years, this designation will only increase the neighbors access to better transportation options, better walkability, better amenities, and new investment."

Long Branch becomes the 35th Main Street Maryland community and the second Main Street Maryland designation in Montgomery County. The first was "Old Takoma" in the City of Takoma Park in 1998.

"Thank you to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for designating the Long Branch area of Silver Spring as a Main Street," said Councilmember Stewart. "This designation shows what we know: that Long Branch is a thriving area with many small businesses, a diverse and active community in a unique location connecting many of our neighborhoods. This designation will bring assistance to strengthen our downtown commercial districts, which will accelerate and build on the exciting work of our non-profit partners while keeping our sense of community."

The County has directed resources to support neighborhood revitalization and to preserve and produce affordable housing in the Long Branch community. Recently, this has included funding through the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) Countywide Façade Improvement Program to improve the exterior and parking lots of local businesses at the corner of Piney Branch Road and Flower Avenue, completed in February 2025. DHCA also provided $10.6 million in financing to preserve 141 affordable housing units and create 76 new affordable housing units at Park Montgomery and Park Montgomery West, on Piney Branch Road. These affordable apartment buildings celebrated their grand opening in October 2025.

"Maryland Main Streets represent some of the strongest and most vibrant business districts that Maryland has to offer. So, to have the Long Branch community of Silver Spring included in this company is a humbling recognition of the work that Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP) has put into revitalizing Long Branch," said Chris Gillis, Director of Policy & Neighborhood Development for Montgomery Housing Partnership. "We are constantly inspired by the successes of other Maryland Main Streets, and this designation will serve as further motivation for us as we seek to help Long Branch achieve its full economic potential."

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