Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller met in North Bethesda on Feb. 17 with Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Council President Evan Glass and members of the County Council for a presentation and update on the UM-Institute for Health Computing project.
The Institute for Health Computing is a planned research facility and academic near the North Bethesda Metro Station that will serve as an anchor and attraction to developers and businesses. The institute will include research in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR).
Joining the presentation were representatives from the University of Maryland, College Park; the University of Maryland, Baltimore; the University of Maryland Medical System; and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority.
Here is a Power Point presentation from the event.
“This project is a perfect example of how Maryland can become more economically competitive by creating opportunities through innovative partnerships,” said Gov. Moore. “I am proud our higher education institutions are working together to make it a success.”
Montgomery County is the epicenter of the fourth largest bio-health cluster in the country, but the only one in the top 10 not anchored by a graduate level research institution. According to a recent report by CBRE, the region is home to the second largest life science workforce in the nation.
The Institute for Health Computing also will boost the County’s hospitality industry. Montgomery County is home to companies representing 50 percent of the national hospitality market including Marriott International and Choice Hotels.
“As a Montgomery County resident, I am excited for the possibility of a project that will further the County and State’s goals for equity and transformational economic development,” said Lt. Gov. Miller.
The new institute’s location in North Bethesda’s Pike District, near the NIST, NIH, FDA, Walter Reed, the Henry Jackson Foundation, and the Naval Medical Research Center, will provide an opportunity for the area to emerge as the prime location for this novel and urgent cutting-edge research. The new facility will bring together world-class researchers from the University System of Maryland’s partner institutions prominent in artificial intelligence, machine learning and the virtual/augmented reality fields with researchers and clinicians at the UMMS.
“We are very appreciative that Governor Moore and Lt. Governor Miller visited us to learn more about the Institute for Health Computing and the potential it has for the State economic development, job creation, education, and equity goals,” said County Executive Elrich. “We learned firsthand through the process of competing for the Amazon HQ2 process how important it is to provide an educated workforce and an academic presence to attract companies to Maryland. The technologies and synergies that the UM-Institute for Health Computing will provide to our life sciences, as well as our hospitality sector, is a game changer for our State and County.”
The Institute is expected to open in leased space in early 2023, with final completion of laboratory and office space at the North Bethesda Metro location in 2028. The combined new County, university and Federal commitments amount to $68 million over the next five years.
"This transformative partnership highlights Montgomery County's rising status as an epicenter for the biohealth and technology industries," Council President Glass said. "This project will stimulate growth and business development, strengthen our workforce and benefit the entire state of Maryland."
Montgomery County committed $40 million to the Institute, which will be the anchor for development of a new biotech cluster in North Bethesda. The initial $15 million from the County has already leveraged a $3 million earmark from the Maryland Congressional Delegation.
“The UM-Institute for Health Computing will provide additional opportunities for world-class research and help train future workers to thrive in our modern, innovation-driven economy,” said U.S. Senator Ben Cardin. “This new institute will be driven by partnerships and will lead to countless new ones, bringing another growth engine to North Bethesda and further bolstering one of Montgomery County’s greatest strengths. Team Maryland worked hard to deliver a new direct Federal investment to advance this effort and looks forward to its future success.”
“Montgomery County is a leader in health innovation, and through the partnership they have forged with the University of Maryland to create the Institute for Health Computing,” said U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen. “They will reach even greater heights as they discover groundbreaking treatments and cures. That’s why I was pleased to help deliver a direct Federal investment for this new institute to purchase the cutting-edge equipment it needs, which will help drive medical breakthroughs that save lives while bringing new jobs and opportunities to our State.”
During the 2022 Maryland General Assembly session, the Montgomery County delegation secured $16 million toward the project. The Universities and UMMS have already made significant early investments in AI, VR and health data informatics that will benefit the project. They have committed an additional $25 million over the next five years to match the County’s operating commitment over that time.
“This institute is a big deal for Montgomery County and our entire State,” said State Senator Ben Kramer, chair of the Montgomery Senate delegation. “Montgomery County is a leader for innovation and life sciences. Creating this institution in the County will ensure that our County continues to lead on this critical issue to cure diseases, improve health outcomes, and reduce disparities for generations to come.”
A significant aspect of life sciences research involves using technology to discover meaningful patterns hidden in huge data sets. For example, the nation’s rapid discovery of a vaccine for COVID-19 during the pandemic was reliant on AI to accelerate advances in the underlying lab research. AI also is being used for now to improve public health through prevention strategies using the analysis of patient data on chronic diseases, risk factors, and outcomes.
"Life science in a core ecosystem of Montgomery County, and the Institute for Health Computing will increase our region’s competitiveness throughout the industry," said State Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr, chair of the Montgomery’s House delegation. "I appreciate the Governor coming to our County to hear from our government and university partners as we work together to bring this important project to fruition."
