HYATTSVILLE, Md. (March 8, 2010) – Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown joined local business owners and entrepreneurs at Franklin’s Restaurant in Hyattsville today to highlight the O’Malley-Brown administration’s jobs agenda. Brown spoke of the administration’s continued support for small business loan programs, such as the Neighborhood Business Works (NBW) program, and called on the Maryland General Assembly to pass priority legislation that will help small and locally-owned businesses create jobs.

“It’s really simple: No Neighborhood Business Works, no Franklins,” said Mike Franklin, owner of Franklin’s Restaurant. “Without this program, I would not have been able to expand and without expanding, I would have chosen not to continue.”

Franklin’s Restaurant provides a strong case study for the program’s success. Mike Franklin received a $500,000 loan in 1995 to open Franklin’s. Today, the restaurant employs 66 people and generates annual State and local tax revenues of nearly $115,000 each year. Franklin’s success is largely credited as being the most significant economic catalyst for the establishment of the Gateway Arts and Entertainment District along Route 1 in Hyattsville. In addition, the EYA Arts District Hyattsville is a $200 million mixed-use development currently under construction two blocks from Franklin’s front door.

“The Neighborhood Business Works program is a life-line to small business,” said Chris Millitello and Chris Davidson, co-owners of Arrow Bicycles. “This financial support has enabled us to provide support and services in the community, create jobs, bring in business from outside our community and support the efforts of organizations like the Special Olympics.”