Dear Friends,
There was deeply disturbing news in our region this week, following an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee at the Capital Jewish Museum, where two Israeli Embassy staff members were shot and killed
I want to express my deepest condolences to the families of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, the two Israeli embassy employees. I also extend my thoughts to the American Jewish Committee, the attendees, the museum staff and everyone affected by this horrifying act of violence.
This attack has caused real fear and anxiety in the Jewish community, here in Montgomery County and beyond. In the wake of this horrific tragedy, we reiterate that we stand with the Jewish community and against anti-semitism in all its forms.
In response to this tragedy, our Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) has increased patrols and visibility near faith-based institutions. MCPD is urging residents to stay alert and report any suspicious activity. We continue to encourage all residents: if you see something, say something—call 9-1-1 in the case of an immediate threat.
We stand with our Jewish community and with every resident who deserves to feel safe in their home, house of worship, or neighborhood, no matter where they are in the world.
MCPD Chief Marc Yamada and Deputy Chief Darren Franke joined County Administrative Officer Rich Madaleno for this week’s media briefing to discuss the situation. You can watch that conversation here.
Montgomery County will continue to invest in the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to help protect vulnerable communities, especially faith-based and nonprofit organizations at heightened risk of hate crimes.
This program provides critical funding for security personnel, planning, training and infrastructure. Over the past eight years, we have consistently funded this initiative, and in the upcoming FY26 budget, we have earmarked $1.2 million to this effort.
If you see something suspicious or witness what you think is a hate crime, call 911. In addition, the County launched an online portal last fall to report any hate incident, which you can find on montgomerycountymd.gov.
FY26 Budget Passed by Council
On Thursday, the County Council voted unanimously to approve the FY26 operating budget.
I appreciate the Council’s collaboration and strong support for public education. I’m especially pleased that we were able to fund 99.8% of the Montgomery County Public Schools request, resulting in a record $3.58 billion investment. That means higher salaries for our educators, more support staff in special education and added security in our schools—things that are urgently needed right now.
Even in this difficult environment, we made real progress. This budget reflects shared priorities, like our largest-ever investment in affordable housing, $312 million, more than $360 million for climate and environmental work and continued funding for a fare-free Ride On bus system to improve equity and access.
Explore the budget by visiting montgomerycountymd.gov/budget.
We also increased funding for mental and dental health care in underserved areas and expanded public safety tools like MCPD’s Drone as First Responder program.
And we’ve made important moves in economic development. In just the past few months, we’ve seen AstraZeneca commit $300 million to a new facility, the $2 billion Viva White Oak project take a big step forward and the University of Maryland anchor a major new development at the North Bethesda Metro station.
This budget supports that momentum, with $2 million to recruit a top-tier incubator operator, nearly $1 million more for WorkSource Montgomery and additional support for small businesses, entrepreneurs and displaced federal workers.
I want to thank the Council for unanimously supporting these priorities and the residents who attended our budget forums, testified and stayed involved throughout this process.
Now that the budget is behind us, we need to look ahead. We must ask: What are we doing now that will help us create a more sustainable budget, increase investments in our infrastructure spending and provide the resources and programs for the growing demand from those in need?
The answers are not always simple. But if we are focused, honest, and work together, I believe we will get there.
Economic Development Pursuits and Wins
This week, Governor Wes Moore announced that Bernstein Management Corporation, a commercial real estate investment and management company, is planning to relocate its corporate headquarters from Washington, D.C. Bernstein has been a regional leader in real estate investment and management for more than 70 years.
Their new 15,000-square-foot office space will be in Bethesda. This relocation is expected to bring 50 full-time employees to the County by the end of the year.
This project is supported by a $250,000 conditional loan through the state's Advantage Maryland program, up to $150,000 through Montgomery County's MOVE Grant Program and up to $400,000 through the Job Creation Fund.
I want to thank the company for its trust in our community. This announcement reflects our partnership with the Maryland Department of Commerce to attract stable, long-term investments that bring good jobs and strengthen our local economy. Bethesda offers the talent and connectivity that companies like Bernstein are looking for.
Last week, we celebrated the grand opening of Powersolv's new corporate headquarters in Rockville. Powersolv is a leading provider of IT consulting and professional services relocating from Virginia. We also developed contacts with many international businesses and rekindled some of the contacts made on our overseas trips through the Select USA conference, introducing many people to the County with a guided bus tour.
These moves are the most recent examples of our commitment to economic development. They are a sign of a more vibrant and diverse economy that will help expand the business and tax revenue base of Montgomery County. We are open for business and welcome companies both large and small.
It also takes collaboration. This week, I joined Governor Moore and his team on a trip to the ICSC Las Vegas convention, the International Council of Shopping Centers. Many development professionals consider this the most important event of the year, bringing together the commercial real estate industry and the retailers that fill those spaces. We also toured a housing manufacturing facility that’s looking for a new location. Montgomery County could be a good fit.
Connections made at conventions like this can create transformative deals that reshape communities and help bolster economic growth. I’m glad the State of Maryland recognizes this and invited me to participate in the State pitch for these projects.
Our economic wins are not accidental. They are the result of making smart choices, staying focused on the long game and keying in on the right opportunities that match our community. A healthy business community is essential to providing a broader tax base, which allows us to improve services without raising taxes on residents.
Attracting companies like Powersolv and Bernstein Management Corporation demonstrates that Montgomery County offers the environment, talent and resources necessary for businesses to grow and thrive. We will continue to work collaboratively with our State partners and remain proactive in our efforts to strengthen and diversify our economy.
Fighting Food Insecurity Through Food Systems Resilience
Over the past decade, the County has invested in local efforts to keep nutritious food out of the waste stream. It is estimated that food insecurity affects 35% of County residents, and these food recovery efforts increase food access for more than 106,000 residents each month. Still, the need continues to grow.
Food recovery is a key strategy in several of our County initiatives, including the Strategic Plan to Advance Composting, Compact Use and Food Scraps DiversionStrategic Plan to Advance Composting, Compact Use and Food Scraps Diversion and the Aiming for Zero Waste Initiative. Aiming for Zero Waste Initiative. In each of these projects, we are emphasizing the importance of private-public collaboration with the local food industry. In a time of tight budgets at all levels of government, and growing demand for services, we need to find ways to do more with less - using our dollars strategically to leverage new and additional resources.
We help coordinate the collection of safe-to-eat foods that can no longer be sold, such as produce, meat, shelf-stable items and prepared meals. The food is redistributed to residents through food assistance organizations. This practice has environmental, economic and social benefits. It helps prevent food waste by redirecting large volumes of surplus high-value and quality food like dairy, meat and produce to the community at minimal cost.
There are more than two dozen County-based organizations that engage in food recovery operations. Launched through County government funds in 2014, Manna Food Center’s Community Food Rescue program has built a robust network of key partners like Capital Area Food Bank, So What Else and Rainbow Community Development Center, alongside more than 400 donors, food providers and volunteers to help rescue nearly 14 million pounds of food. The dedication of these community organizations, who often jump in a truck in the middle of the night to recover a truckload of fresh peaches or a tractor-trailer full of sweet potatoes, has made a tremendous impact on the well-being of local families and the carbon footprint of our waste stream.
Our newly launched food recovery strategy will shift use of existing funding to incentivize increased resource sharing, service coordination and data collection among partner organizations. Three separate grant opportunities will create a partner network of recovery organizations with dedicated funding for operations and infrastructure, like refrigerated trucks and organics recycling equipment. We will continue to evolve the processes we use to coordinate food assistance because we cannot predict how much strain job losses and funding cuts will put on our community. We can be ready to help, though, and build a stronger food system for our future.
Learn more in the WTOP story that ran earlier this week.
Burtonsville Elementary School Groundbreaking
MCPS originally wanted the school to be in another location. I worked with them to move the school to a better site for families. At the new location, 85% of the students who will attend will be able to walk or bike to school. Additionally, the kids who live near the future school will be able to easily use the new facilities. We are all excited by the $59 million investment in the new school.
The groundbreaking of the new Burtonsville Elementary School is another big win for our East County community, which has seen nearly $200 million in improvements to just elementary schools over the last few years. Earlier this month, we also announced the County’s first TIF – tax increment financing – for the transformative Viva White Oak project and we announced the extension of Route 29 Ride On Flash service into Howard County. Two new grocery stores have opened in East County – Sprouts in Burtonsville and Amazon Fresh in White Oak. The Hillandale Gateway affordable housing development is about to come online and the expansion of Montgomery College to East County has been well-received.
It is exciting to see the County’s efforts to reinvigorate this area really paying off in the form of private investments and major improvements.
‘Go MoCo Month’ and Visit Montgomery
Tourism has a $1.9 billion impact on our local economy. Visit Montgomery promotes and coordinates our attractions, events, culinary highlights and lodging options.
Visit Montgomery consistently devises new and innovative ways to attract visitors and support our local hospitality and retail businesses. Recently, Visit Montgomery hosted its first food and beverage showcase. It routinely engages with meeting planners, tourism journalists and social media influencers. Most importantly, it is a trusted partner and resource for our restaurant and hospitality industry.
All month long, Visit Montgomery has encouraged residents and visitors to enjoy local shops, restaurants and events as part of “Go MoCo Month.” They set up contests for Visit MoCo app users to check in and win shopping sprees and dinners.
We know Montgomery County is ‘Maryland’s Cultural Capital.’ That is because you can easily enjoy urban living, rural serenity or suburban tranquility all in the same day. Montgomery County is home to four of the most diverse communities in the United States (tracked by WalletHub), and is also home to the most religiously diverse population anywhere in our nation. That contributes to a wide variety of festivals, food and fun across our community all year long.
As our region is currently hosting WorldPride for the LGBTQ+ community, we have several WorldPride events across the County. Events are scheduled for Glen Echo and Takoma Park, and the Strathmore Music Center will be the setting for the International Pride Orchestra and Gay Men’s Chorus of DC concert on June 5.
To start Pride Month, next Friday, May 30, Silver Spring will host the annual Pride Flag raising at Veterans Plaza at 6 p.m. ahead of the Live in Your Truth celebration. The drag duels always draw a lively crowd, and now, with diversity, equity and inclusion efforts under attack by the Trump administration, it is more important than ever to give this group a platform to ensure they will not be silenced and not be erased. Also, mark your calendar for the capper to Pride Month when Pride in the Plaza returns to Silver Spring on Sunday, June 29.
Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival Schedule Set
This is the third year of the festival and the first with the newly rebuilt Scotland AME Zion church open. The County is proud to lend its support and help shine a spotlight on one of the pioneering communities in Montgomery County that was overlooked for too long.
Happy Memorial Day
Finally, as we head into Memorial Day weekend, let’s remember those who gave their lives in service. Please participate in one of the many remembrance activities that will occur. The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs continues to honor the memory of those lost with an online tribute to local heroes.
As Memorial Day is also the unofficial kickoff of summer, I am happy to remind everyone that our seven outdoor pools will reopen this weekend. They will operate on Saturdays and Sundays only until the end of the school year, except for Memorial Day Monday.
A full list of openings and closures can be found later in this newsletter and on our website.
Rockville’s Hometown Holidays will offer music, food and family fun on both Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25. Visit the City of Rockville website for details.
As always, my appreciation for all of you,
Marc Elrich
County Executive
