Message from the County Executive Marc Elrich

 

Dear Friends,

This week, I conclude my annual Top 10 video, and I’m sharing photos from the past year of some of the many events and milestones. I hope you enjoy this look back.

I joined County Executives and other colleagues from around the state for 2025 opening day of the Maryland General Assembly.

The annual MLK Day of Service effort brought out hundreds of volunteers throughout the County.

 


Montgomery County’s Commission for Women hosted its 45th Annual Women’s Legislative Briefing at The Universities at Shady Grove, which featured a panel on women who inspire change through innovative ideas.

 


In January, Maryland Governor Wes Moore visited the Wonders Early Learning Center in Chevy Chase to discuss the State’s investment in education and highlighted the need to make child care a priority.



In February, I joined many people to help celebrate Strathmore’s 20th anniversary in Montgomery County. Since its opening the venue has welcomed more than 2 million visitors and 5,000 artists to events including indoor and outdoor concerts, arts exhibitions, festivals, and lectures.



This year, we renamed the Executive Office Building in honor of former County Executive Ike Leggett to pay tribute to his extraordinary legacy and dedication to serving the people of Montgomery County. The official renaming ceremony gathered hundreds of Ike’s closest friends, coworkers, and colleagues from across the State to pay tribute and help us honor this living legend.



Montgomery County helped launch Daejeon’s (our sister city in South Korea) new U.S. Global Business Center in Rockville. This is an example of how our work to grow those relationships through the BIO Korea and Smart City conferences, as well as visits with government and university leaders, will continue to be mutually beneficial.



In March, I visited with children in Gaithersburg to celebrate Read Across America Day. It’s something I do yearly because I enjoy sharing stories with kids who participate through our Montgomery County Public Libraries.



This was an exciting year in White Oak. Significant progress was made on the VIVA White Oak development, and, in March, we welcomed a new Amazon Fresh grocery store.



I regularly visit businesses throughout the year. This picture is from my trip to the Germantown Innovation Center, where I met with a small business looking to grow with the County’s help.



This spring, I held 6 ‘Community Conversations’ about the Capital Improvements Program Budget. The forums provided an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to contribute to the budget making process for long-term County improvements.



In April, we hosted one of several job fairs designed to assist federal workers displaced by program cuts and layoffs. It helped set the table for Mobilize Montgomery.



In April, I signed Bill 6-25 into law, which helped protect renters and allowed the County to better enforce housing and safety code violations.



I delivered my State of the County speech in April, which focused on how our goals from health and transportation to education and the climate are tied together to make Montgomery County a better and more equitable place for everyone. You can watch that speech on the County’s YouTube page.



This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Tree Montgomery program. Since 2015, more than 18,000 shade trees have been planted around the County.

 


Our community welcomed back the Scotland AME Zion church after a terrible flood destroyed the old building in 2019. Scotland was one of the numerous post-Civil War black communities in the County, but only a handful still remain.



The Ride On bus transit system is the second-largest in the region, and one of the busiest, operating 7 days a week on over 80 routes. Starting in July, we made all rides within Montgomery County free. This year, we marked Ride On’s 50th anniversary.

May marked the opening of AstraZeneca’s new $300 million advanced manufacturing facility in Rockville. This facility will produce CAR-T cell therapies, cutting-edge treatments that are transforming how we fight cancer and will save countless lives. 



I joined Howard County Executive Calvin Ball to announce a new transit partnership between the counties to forge regional transportation connections along US Route 29 into Columbia starting in 2026.  

In May, we marked an important milestone with the signing of the Sgt. Patrick Kepp Act by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, which will strengthen public safety on our roads across the State. It is sad that it took a tragic incident like the devastating injuries to Montgomery County Police Sgt. Kepp to prompt this legislation. Sgt. Kepp lost both legs after being hit by a speeding driver he was trying to stop; he was out of his vehicle, deploying stop sticks, when he was hit. This new law provides real consequences for people who ignore the rules of the road by speeding excessively and putting other drivers in danger.

 


In May, we joined WMATA and Maryland leaders to announce the selection of Hines as the master developer for the North Bethesda Metro Station site—a 13.9-acre North Bethesda joint development adjacent to the rail station and future home of the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing.

 


On June 2, the new 6th District Police Station in Gaithersburg opened, serving Montgomery Village and other Upcounty communities. Moving the Central Traffic Unit into the building allows us to improve service to the community.

The County’s commitment to our LGBTQ+ community continued this year with the raising of the Pride flag at the Leggett Executive Office Building in Rockville.

 


I was invited to be part of the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts 25th anniversary celebration in June. The Collegiate Baseball League team plays its homes games at Blair High School. I am pleased that I can still throw a pretty good fastball from the pitcher’s mound.



This was a big deal. We marked a major milestone in our efforts to tackle the affordable housing crisis with the opening of Allium Place in Wheaton. It features 168 apartments and 27 homes for sale that help families who would struggle to afford similar options anywhere else in the County.

 


This year marked the debut of the County’s Mobile Health Clinic, offering health care and dental services to communities in need.



Montgomery County was home to more than 20 National Night Out events in August, allowing the community to get to know the men and women serving our community through law enforcement.



I hope you got a chance to watch my discussion about Viva White Oak during August’s Bisnow event. It is the largest private sector investment ever in East County.

 


This September, we drew another strong crowd for the annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival, headlined this year by the legendary Perservation Hall Jazz Band. It was an incredible show.

 


In September, Montgomery County welcomed the Maryland Tech Council Bio Innovation Conference to promote growth and innovation in Maryland's life sciences community.



Montgomery County made a $10 million investment in early education with the expansion of Head Start to provide early childhood education and care for the youngest children – infants through 3-year-olds. 



In October, Silver Spring saw the opening of Park Montgomery West, a project that preserved and developed 217 affordable apartments along the forthcoming Purple Line.



The federal government shutdown brought hardship upon many in our community. This roundtable discussion about the impact of the shutdown on food assistance programs was held at Manna and featured Rep. Jamie Raskin and Rep. April McLain Delaney.

 

I was proud to stand with advocates for the homeless community and decry the cuts planned by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development, which still threaten to take funding from proven programs that keep people off the street.



The Montgomery County History Conference in November prepared for the 250th anniversary of the County. Ralph Buglass, a Montgomery County native and instructor associated with Johns Hopkins and Montgomery College, presented Montgomery Montage: A 250-Year Tapestry of Time, People and Place.  As a history major, I understand the importance of knowing our history to find the best path forward.



In the fall, we held 12 ‘Community Conversations’ focused on the county’s operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins in July. The meeting pictured above was translated for the in-person audience into Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese to help our residents.



We saw a significant increase in the need for food this year, and for Thanksgiving, I joined volunteers in handing out 850 food kits prepared by Nourish Bethesda.



We debuted our ‘250’ logo at the Thanksgiving Parade in Silver Spring. We are spreading the word about the County’s anniversary event on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026.

The East County Cold Storage facility opened in December to help reduce food waste and provide nonprofits with a flexible, shared-use storage facility that can help save donated products from being thrown away.

 


As 2026 begins, remember that plastic bags are generally prohibited at most stores. If you are offered a bag, it will be paper and cost you 10 cents. The change is part of our effort to keep single-use plastics out of our waste stream, our waterways, and our sewer lines.

I hope this gives you some sense of the past year. As I say at the end of my top ten video, this year: we honored our history; we advocated for residents; we passed significant legislation; we enhanced public safety; we advanced climate solutions; we improved transit; we supported our families; we boosted our economy; we built more affordable housing; and we upheld our principles despite federal pressures. Montgomery County is a place where people persevere, keep striving, and believe in a better future.

I wish you all a peaceful, prosperous and just New Year. 

As always, my appreciation for all of you,

Marc Elrich
County Executive

Message from the County Executive Marc Elrich

Dear Friends,

The video I’m sharing this holiday week is the first of a two-part look back at the year. We have had numerous challenges that we’ve had to stand up to, but there have also been many positive developments to celebrate. I encourage you to watch Part 1 this week and return next week to complete Part 2.

We have some great economic development news to share. I want to welcome Samsung Biologics to Montgomery County. The company is buying GSK's Rockville campus. This is the South Korean drug maker's first manufacturing facility in the United States. The acquisition is expected to be finalized sometime next year, underscoring our County’s position as a global hub for life sciences and biotechnology.

This is a win for our local workforce. More than 500 skilled employees will remain on that campus and will continue to call Montgomery County home. The company says it plans to expand its manufacturing capacity within the U.S. and reduce supply chain risks as it grows.

Montgomery County is home to one of the nation's strongest biotech clusters. Samsung Biologics' investment and AstraZeneca’s recent multi-million-dollar commitments to cell therapy and clinical manufacturing facilities here in the County demonstrate our leadership in innovation and biomanufacturing. I used this announcement as an opportunity to provide an update on our economic development efforts during my weekly media briefing.

When we travel overseas, we have been focusing on helping the global marketplace learn about our industry cluster, innovation resources, highly educated workforce, and diverse community so that they can feel confident that Montgomery County is a place where their companies can grow and thrive and where their employees feel welcome.

With GSK’s long-standing presence in Montgomery County, we are happy to know that the important work of their employees will continue with Samsung Biologics as their manufacturing partner for Benlysta and essential products for patients.

It’s essential to remember that our biohealth cluster is not only crucial for our economy, but also for patients worldwide. I look forward to welcoming the Samsung Biologics leadership team in person in the New Year.

DARCARS Donation to MCPS to Cover Student Lunch Debt

I would like to thank John and Jamie Darvish, along with the entire DARCARS Automotive Group, for the gift they presented to our community this week. A donation of $230,000 will help wipe out lunch debt for more than 80,000 Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students. It will make a direct, meaningful difference in the lives of students and families across Montgomery County.

Before I was County Executive, I was a teacher at a high-poverty elementary school. And I’ll never forget some of my students whose only hot meal was at school. Long weekends weren’t something to look forward to because they meant days without a proper meal. That stays with you.

It taught me something important early on: poverty is a destabilizing force that affects a child’s health, growth, and ability to learn. If we are serious about closing the opportunity gap and helping children succeed, we must address the real-life impacts of poverty that manifest in classrooms every single day.

That’s why donations like this matter so much. This is an example of how the private sector can play a powerful role in helping level the playing field for children across Montgomery County. Wiping out school lunch debt is an investment in kids. It provides dignity and helps them focus on learning instead of worrying about whether they’ll eat.

We must also be honest about the broader context. We’re still living with the consequences of racist policies and practices that were created long ago. Even though those policies may be gone, their impacts are not. That’s why I’ve spent years fighting for things like a higher minimum wage—to help create more stable living situations for families.

Last week, I signed a bill giving families facing eviction more time—extending notice requirements from six days to fourteen days. That might sound small, but for a family on the brink, a little extra time can mean the difference between staying housed and losing their home.

This donation works the same way. It can help a family pay a bill. It can ease stress around finances. It can reduce the tension that so often spills over onto kids.

As we head into the New Year, this support gives families a fresh start. In Montgomery County, we don’t turn our backs on children or punish them for circumstances beyond their control. Thank you for the generosity shown by DARCARS. I’d also like to thank MCPS and the chambers of commerce in Rockville, Silver Spring, and elsewhere that help companies like this find a compassionate way to elevate our community.

HERO Act Enacted to Help Family Members of Fallen Firefighters



On Monday, I signed the HERO Act into law. The Expedited Bill 32-25 is an adjustment to the way families of firefighters who die in the line of duty receive benefits. Unfortunately, by no fault of her own, we saw that it took months for the widow of Master Firefighter Christopher Higgins to receive his pension. This new law will cut that wait time down to a matter of weeks. She sat by my side as we made this bill a law.

Another change prompted by this law allows the County to compensate families as if their lost loved one had served 20 years with Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service (MCFRS). I hope that this extension of benefits is never needed, but in the case of the unthinkable, families deserve peace of mind.

Our role as a government is to support firefighters financially and ensure we put them in the best position to remain safe. Emotional support is just as crucial, and this law helps show our community that we recognize the dangers firefighters face and the strain it puts on their families. I want to thank Councilmembers Evan Glass and Sydney Katz for sponsoring this bill.

Firefighters are some of our most dedicated public servants. The HERO Act demonstrates our support for them and acknowledges the personal risks they take to keep our community safe.

Melanie Diaz Family Donation

Potential life-saving changes are now in place to help protect renters who live in high-rise buildings. The Tenant Protection and Notification law, which took effect in October 2024, helps improve fire safety awareness by requiring landlords to disclose fire safety information when a lease is signed. Tenants are informed about the building's emergency plans, the status of the sprinkler system, insurance details, and maintenance information. Families also learn how to contact a building representative in the event of an emergency.



Last Saturday, the family of Melanie Diaz donated new smoke hoods to the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service. The hoods provide respiratory protection for firefighters in smoke-filled environments, giving them more time to rescue people inside buildings without harming and risking their respiratory systems. They are being added to all our fire response trucks.

Melanie was 25 years old when she died in a high-rise fire in Silver Spring in 2023. The smoke alarms on her floor did not go off, and the building was not required to have sprinklers in the stairwells and hallways. Her family said they wanted an impact that would be a testament to Melanie, a person who was always seeking to help others.

Her death inspired a new statewide law to better protect tenants and ensure the implementation of automatic sprinkler regulations for high-rises by 2033. Another aspect of Maryland’s law classifies fire alarms as a type of protective measure that tenants should be expected to have at no cost to them.



Melanie's parents, Cesar Diaz and Zuleika Madera, shared their grief and testified in Annapolis as they pushed for these changes on their daughter's behalf. Their generosity continues with this donation, and I would like to thank them for their determination to enact change. These protections will carry her name forward and hopefully prevent other families from losing a loved one.

Federal Government Actions on Local Jurisdictions During Holiday Weeks

I hope by now everyone is aware of the federal administration’s efforts to undermine the help and services we provide to end and prevent homelessness.

In a small bit of good news, a federal judge has temporarily blocked a proposal by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that would have ended funding that helps move unhoused people to permanent supportive housing. More than 20 states, including Maryland, sued HUD over its proposed changes. However, late last week, the federal government changed the requirements for funding requests again, further complicating the situation and forcing the courts once again to decide if their actions are within the scope of the law.

This attempted policy change is cruel, counterproductive, and frustrating. As I’ve outlined before, we have a system in place that is working to keep people off the streets, and these changes would disrupt our work. There is a lack of compassion in the way that federal regulators are trying to victimize those in need of assistance. Meanwhile, as many people enjoy their holiday, federal regulators in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are attempting to quietly revise how vaccines and their safety are discussed. Last week, HHS leaders suggested that the U.S. would adopt a vaccine schedule similar to Denmark's. This would have been a major overhaul to vaccines and could have been disastrous. Those plans now seem like they’ve been scrapped, and the vaccine schedule remains in place for now. Still, it is concerning that years of careful, evidence-based vaccine policy could be disregarded through an opaque process that overlooks the significant differences between the U.S. and Denmark. It also disregards the real consequences for children and families.

The federal Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines is scheduled to meet virtually on Monday, Dec. 29, with virtually no public notice and very little information shared with the public. Its decisions can affect vaccine policy nationwide. The public, as well as state and local health departments, are being kept in the dark about what will be discussed or decided. Advocates for public health are sounding the alarm and urging the commission to share more information about its plans. In a recent article in Scientific American, public health experts say the move will endanger children.

Planning a meeting that affects the health and safety of vaccines between holidays, without meaningful disclosure and without accountability, undermines public trust and raises serious concerns about whether decisions are being made deliberately out of public view. This is not how evidence-based public health policy should be conducted.

Please know that we will continue to monitor and comment on these deeply concerning actions by the Trump administration.

As always, my appreciation for all of you,



Marc Elrich
County Executive

Message from the County Executive Marc Elrich

 

Dear Friends,

Today, I attended Governor Wes Moore’s announcement focused on building a more affordable and reliable energy future for Maryland. I appreciate the Governor tackling this issue head-on, especially as we head into the winter months, when higher energy costs can put real strain on family budgets.

Families across the country are already feeling the impact. Nationally, residential electricity prices rose 10.5% between January and August of this year, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association—more than three times the rate of overall inflation. In Maryland, prices rose 8.8% over the same period. For many households, these increases are unsustainable, and addressing affordability must be a priority.

The Governor’s action recognizes that affordability and reliability must move together. Stabilizing utility bills, improving grid performance, and protecting ratepayers require a more coordinated and accountable approach. Montgomery County has long been clear that the transition to cleaner energy must also be fair and affordable, and I look forward to continuing to work with the State to make sure energy policy delivers real relief while keeping our grid strong.

There are also steps residents can take immediately to help reduce energy use and costs at home—simple actions such as sealing drafts, using smart thermostats, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, and taking advantage of available rebates and incentive programs. Our Climate Smart initiative offers practical tools, tips, and resources to help residents save energy and money while reducing emissions. You can learn more at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/climate/climate-smart/energy.html.

For residents who need energy bill help or utility assistance, you (or someone you’re helping) can apply for support through Maryland’s Office of Home Energy Programs. This includes the Maryland Energy Assistance Program for heating bills and the Electric Universal Service Program for electric bills, with applications available online at the State benefits portal at https://mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us. You can also call 1-800-332-6347 for help or contact the Montgomery County Office of Home Energy Programs at 240-777-4450 for local assistance and application support.

As winter begins, helping people stay warm without incurring impossible energy bills is both an economic and moral responsibility—and it’s one we must keep at the forefront of our work.

Eviction Notification Requirement Increased to 14 Days

This week, I signed into law expedited Bill 31-25, that increases notification requirements for evictions. This bill, sponsored by Councilmember Kristin Mink, will give individuals facing eviction more time to respond while also providing our outreach teams with advance notice to help those at risk of homelessness.

With the end of the pandemic, evictions have skyrocketed. In 2020, there were 254 completed evictions, and last year there were more than 1,300. That is four times as many families facing the loss of their homes.his isn’t just a problem for these families; it’s a problem for our communities, our schools, and our social support system.

This new law will require the landlords and property managers to alert tenants and our Department of Housing and Community Affairs about evictions 14 days before they are executed, instead of the current six-day notice.

This helps families and our homeless prevention partners develop solutions over a longer period. Our shelters are already full, so the most effective way to help people is to assist them in finding new housing while they are still housed and before they are forced out.

According to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' annual Point in Time Count, between fiscal years (FY) 2023 and 2025, Montgomery County experienced a 33% increase in homelessness, while the statewide increase was 25%. This includes a 26% increase in non-disabled people and 23% increase in adults over 65 experiencing homelessness in our County. These numbers are alarming, and this policy is intended to curb those increasing rates.

Evictions are tough transitions in which families often lose irreplaceable family possessions simply because there’s not enough time to protect them. Having only six days to find a new place to live on little to no money, and considering schools, transportation, and other logistics that someone evicted must take care of, is burdensome.

I believe it is essential to treat every person with dignity and recognize that stable housing is the foundation for all aspects of life, from employment to education to a healthy community. This bill is another step toward helping those facing eviction protect their dignity, prevent the loss of their homes, or, at the very least, give them more time to prepare.

For more information about evictions and understanding your rights, please visit the DHCA website.

Bring Your Own Bag Law Goes into Effect on New Year’s Day

This week, I joined Councilmember Kate Stewart and our Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to remind the public about a new law that takes effect on Jan. 1.

The Bring Your Own Bag Tax Law builds on what we’ve already done as a County to reduce the use of plastic bags. Up to now, we have encouraged the public to bring their own bags or pay to get a plastic bag from the store. That option is now going away. Plastic bags will not be offered at store checkouts, except in municipalities that have not adopted or have their own plastic bag law.

The price of a paper bag will increase from 5 cents to 10 cents. The retailer will retain five cents of the new fee, and the remaining five cents will be allocated toward the Water Quality Protection Charge, which the DEP manages. This fund helps cover the costs of litter cleanup.

Some exemptions to the plastic carryout bag in the Bring Your Own Bag Tax Law include:

• Plastic bags provided by a pharmacist that contain a prescription drug.
• Plastic bags used in packaging bulk items (fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, candy, ice, or small hardware items).
• Plastic bags that contain hanging garments or dry-cleaned clothes, including suits, jackets, or dresses.
• Plastic bags that contain or wrap perishable items, including meat, fish, unwrapped prepared foods, or bakery goods.

I want to thank DEP for extensive outreach to the County retailers and residents by:

• Distributing over 25,000 reusable bags at benefits offices, food pantries, libraries, and public events.
• Meeting with more than 2,000 businesses in person to discuss the new bag law.
• Providing signage in seven languages for public display to businesses with the new law update.
• Running ads in four languages throughout the County, alerting the community to this change.

I have long been a supporter of phasing out single-use plastics. It is a crucial step in reducing litter and achieving one of our climate action goals of aiming for zero waste. We are working to modernize the waste management process and exploring new methods for recycling the waste we receive. Single-use plastics are a burden on the system, contributing to blight, polluting our waterways, and exposing us to potential flooding when they clog our sewer system.

By stopping the use of single-use plastic bags at most stores, we’re reducing waste and protecting our environment. I encourage everyone to carry reusable bags in their car or backpack so they can be easily used when shopping. For more information, please visit montgomerycountymd.gov/bag.

Hannukah Celebration Concerns in Wake of Antisemitic Attack in Australia

This past weekend, the Montgomery County Department of Police had extra patrols out at Hanukkah ceremonies in response to the horrific violence and terrorist attack we saw in Australia.

Even a country with some of the most restrictive gun laws in the world is not immune to terrorist attacks. This one targeted Jewish people on the first night of a holy and joyous celebration. It’s hard to imagine how this wouldn’t upset, horrify, and disturb every community.

Our thoughts and condolences are with all those impacted. Acts of antisemitism, especially those meant to intimidate families and communities during moments of gathering and celebration, must be called out clearly and condemned without hesitation.

I have heard directly from members of Montgomery County's Jewish community who are shaken by the violence and concerned that the violence could be repeated elsewhere. I want them to know that their safety is a priority, and our vigilance will continue, especially for their sacred moments with family and loved ones.

Montgomery County stands firmly against antisemitism, hate, and political violence in all forms. We will continue to work closely with faith leaders, community organizations, and law enforcement to ensure people can gather, worship, and celebrate without fear.

County Incinerator Receives MDE Violation

A Notice of Violation was issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment to Reworld, the operator of the County’s waste-to-energy facility in Dickerson. Testing conducted in September and shared by regulators in November revealed that one of the boilers exceeded state permit limits for dioxins and furans—highly toxic pollutants that pose significant health risks.

These results were obtained from routine stack testing conducted in September and showed emissions exceeding the limits allowed under Maryland law. We do not know how long it went on before the problem was identified. Reworld has since identified a tear in the baghouse system, which is designed to capture pollutants before they are released into the air. Repairs have been made, and additional testing is underway.

We are requesting detailed information from Reworld and the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority. Federal regulators are also bringing in third-party experts to assess health risks.

We are committed to being transparent with the community about this issue and will continue to share information with the public as it becomes available.

But the larger issue here isn’t a single tear or a single boiler. This is an aging facility that relies on outdated technology, which can pose a threat to public health and the environment.

For decades, this incinerator has been a troubling source of pollution. Continuing to operate it as is contradicts our Climate Action Plan and hinders efforts in waste reduction, reuse, composting, and recycling. The unequal impact of air pollution raises concerns about environmental justice. We are currently reviewing solicitation responses for temporary waste hauling services as we modernize the Dickerson facility and implement improved waste management methods.

This Notice of Violation is a reminder that continuing to rely on this facility is not a long-term solution. We need to be honest about the risks, the costs, and the direction we want to go as a County. Protecting public health and meeting our climate commitments means planning a responsible transition away from incineration and toward cleaner, safer alternatives.

Click the following link if you’d like to read the complete statement from DEP about this issue.

New MCEDC President and CEO Focused on Creating Jobs

This week, the new President and CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), Jared Smith, joined me for the weekly media briefing.

Jared is taking over the MCEDC after serving as the director of Economic Development and Tourism for the City of Henderson, NV, part of the greater Las Vegas area, which serves more than two million residents. Previously, as the chief operating officer at the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, he was a part of a team that generated $17.2 billion in economic impact over six years, the highest results in the organization’s history.

Over the past decade, he helped facilitate Nevada's shift from a tourism-based economy. His handling of Las Vegas' tourism decline during the pandemic reflects our current challenges with the loss of federal workers.

He has an impressive background and track record. We are fortunate to have his experience and talents working for our economy at this critical time.

Jared and his team at MCEDC are focused on bolstering our life sciences, technology, cybersecurity, and hospitality industries. While retaining and attracting large businesses is crucial, it is also important that we help grow the companies of tomorrow.

Just this week, MCEDC announced awards totaling $7.5 million to local businesses that applied for the Technology Innovation and Founders Funds grants. There are 55 early-stage companies that will utilize this money to support their business growth through activities that help them advance their technologies toward the marketplace.

These grants reflect the kind of economy we are building in Montgomery County. We want small companies from diverse industries with strong ideas to have a genuine opportunity to grow here, and that means investing early, supporting commercialization, and removing barriers that often hold people back.

I appreciate the dedicated work of County staff in partnership with the County Council and MCEDC in launching this program to help dozens of companies, not only in biotech and medtech, but also in other sectors we are growing in the County, including space communications, AI, and clean energy. Investing in our business community is beneficial for entrepreneurs, advantageous for our workforce, and crucial for the long-term strength of our local economy.

To learn more about MCEDC’s efforts and outreach, visit thinkmoco.com.

DPS Launches Drone Program to Improve Permitting Processes

Policing and public safety have seen the benefits of using drones in Montgomery County over the past two years. Now, our Department of Permitting Services (DPS) is integrating drone technology into its operations.

DPS drones are used for compliance documentation, monitoring construction progress, and enhancing staff training. They enable inspectors to quickly and safely survey challenging areas, such as steep slopes and stormwater systems. This reduces site inspection time from three to four days to two to three hours, thereby improving customer service and expediting the permitting process.

Our DPS staff can also utilize data and footage obtained by the drones to aid their work. The drones will be operated by FAA-certified pilots who are aware that they are not permitted to fly over private properties.

I’m looking forward to seeing how the drones improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our permitting processes. I thank and appreciate DPS's willingness to embrace new technologies and methods to improve performance.

The latest episode of the DPS podcast focuses on the launch of the drone program. Click the following link to watch the Department of Permitting Services Podcast.

Montgomery County Ranked #2 in the Nation for the Top 100 Places to Live for Older Adults

AARP ranked us among the best places for seniors to live in the nation. Our County is in the ‘very large communities’ category and did well against the nation’s biggest cities. We ranked second on the list, only behind San Francisco but ahead of Fairfax County and Washington, DC, which placed fifth and 14th, respectively.

AARP ranked jurisdictions on several categories, including safe and walkable areas that lead to shops, groceries, and restaurants. The survey also examined the quality of health care, opportunities for physical activity, and environmental health.

Accolades like this help confirm what we already know about Montgomery County--we are a great place to live, work, and play. We strive to provide everyone here with the same opportunities, and that’s the idea behind the Age-Friendly Montgomery program, which is now in its tenth year.

Many of our departments, like Libraries, Recreation, the Department of Health and Human Services, and Transportation, ensure that we are meeting the needs of older adults. That’s important as we see more residents living longer. We take pride in making Montgomery County a community for older adults to age in place and thrive.

‘Montgomery Gives Local’ Campaign Spotlight

Our "Montgomery Gives Local" campaign continues. We started this initiative last month to address the growing demands and needs of our local nonprofits.

As a County government, we have consistently invested in helping our community in times of need, including $200 million for local nonprofits, $62 million for services to end and prevent homelessness, and more than $23 million in food assistance.

However, nonprofits also rely heavily on support from local residents, which is why it’s essential to ask everyone to help and consider giving to local organizations.

Last week, our office hosted our annual holiday luncheon, during which County Executive office staff made donations to a local non-profit organization. This year, we supported the 4 Season Giving Tree.

At the luncheon, I had the pleasure of learning from Lauren Laimon, the founder and CEO, about the origins of this charity. It started when a parent noticed that a teacher was meeting a student's needs at her own expense. As a former teacher, I am aware of the profound impact such assistance can have on a child's life. Providing essential support to families in need significantly enhances children's opportunities for success in school and in life.

We extend our gratitude to 4 Season Giving Tree and all the partners who contribute to supporting this grassroots organization. This model of helping families in need has the potential to be replicated in schools throughout Montgomery County. I believe Lauren's story exemplifies the compassion that our County residents and nonprofit organizations have for our neighbors who are most in need. For more information about giving or volunteering for her organization, please visit 4seasongivingtree.org.

For more information about how you can get involved in supporting organizations with your time or money, visit the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website.

Holiday Greetings and Closings

Finally, I’d like to wish everyone a Happy Holiday season. It has been one of the toughest years this County has been through. I am proud of how my team has faced the moment and how we push on undaunted in our commitment to serving our community the best way possible.

Over the next two weeks, I’ll be reviewing some of the stories and events that stood out over the past year. Some of those impacts have been positive, while others have created challenges for our residents, departments, and community partners. I look forward to sharing my thoughts on these milestones.

Most of our County offices will be closed on Christmas Day, which is on Thursday. Ride On will operate on a limited bus schedule. Libraries, recreation centers, and senior centers, as well as aquatic centers, will close early on Christmas Eve and remain closed on Christmas. You can expect the same kind of reduced hours the following week around New Year’s Day. A complete list of holiday impacts is posted elsewhere in this newsletter.

 
As always, my appreciation for all of you,

Marc Elrich
County Executive