Dear Friends,
This week, I am sharing two different videos with important conversations that I had this week.
First, I am sharing the panel discussion about Viva White Oak – the largest private sector investment ever in East County - that took place during Bisnow’s annual “Future of Montgomery County” gathering in Gaithersburg this week. I joined Viva White Oak’s new developer, MCB Real Estate Co-Founder & Managing Partner, P. David Bramble, in a thoughtful conversation about the scope and importance of this investment in East County.
Second, I am sharing a timely and educational engagement with former NOAA Deputy Administrator for Research, Craig McLean from this week’s media briefing. Craig is a Montgomery County resident and an expert on climate and earth science research and policy. His “insider” and informed commentary on what is happening at NOAA and throughout our federal government to research, science, and all the talented individuals who do this work is very alarming.
I hope you find these conversations interesting and informative. And we will be back next week with our standard weekly update video.
Remembering the History of Labor Movements and the Importance of Workers this Labor Day Weekend
Labor Day is Monday. While it is day off for many and the signal of the end of summer, the meaning of the holiday should not be overlooked.
Labor Day was established to recognize the contributions of American workers to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the country. It shines a spotlight on the labor movement and its achievements, including securing better working conditions, fair wages, and labor rights. It also recalls the ugly history of the treatment of workers in this country. Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894, following the Pullman strike, a nationwide railroad strike that resulted in President Grover Cleveland sending in federal troops who fired into a crowd, killing as many as 30 people and wounding many others. In an interesting parallel to today, the national troops were sent over the objections of Illnois’ Governor. The Pullman strike did lead to the establishment of Labor Day and highlighted the disadvantaged status of workers against unjust actions by employers. At least for now, you can read about the strike on the National Park Service website: The Strike of 1894 - Pullman National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service).
Here in the county, we work with our union partners to make government work better. Unions have also been key to efforts to raise the minimum wage and deliver basic benefits for workers and all residents.
Labor Day should be a day to celebrate our workers who keep our community running, from bus drivers to school nurses to teachers to public servants and to remember the history of workers and the labor movement. They are the backbone of progress and help build a more just, inclusive, and prosperous Montgomery County.
I will be walking in the Labor Day parade in Kensington on Monday (there’s also a parade in Gaithersburg at the same time, but, unfortunately, I can’t be in two places at the same time). You are more than welcome to walk with me in support of workers. The parade begins at 10 a.m.; look for us by 9:45 a.m. near St. Paul Park on St. Paul Street if you want to join me.
NOAA in the Crosshairs
It has been 20 years since the heartbreaking tragedy that unfolded with Hurricane Katrina. It remains one of the most devastating and costliest natural disasters in the history of this nation, killing 1,883 people. The federal response to this disaster under the George W. Bush administration was among the most incompetent and ill-prepared of all time.
Since then, because of research, technology, and innovative practices by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and partners like NASA, our nation is better positioned to predict, forecast, and prepare areas and residents in the path of severe weather events.
However, for all the advancements that have been made since Katrina, President Trump wants to reverse this progress and deliberately threaten the safety of Americans, just as we are about to enter the most dangerous period of hurricane season.
A couple of weeks ago, I read a news story that didn’t get nearly the attention it deserved, which detailed the Trump administration’s plan to crash and burn NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellites — instruments that are still working, fully paid for, and capable of gathering climate data for at least another decade.
This decision would literally destroy tens of millions of dollars of taxpayer investment and wipe out years of research that helps us understand greenhouse gas emissions, plant health, and the forces driving climate change.
It also represents something much larger — another attack on science. Whether it’s NASA, NOAA, NIH, FDA, USDA, or EPA, we continue to see this administration undermine the work of scientists and researchers whose only mission is to inform, protect, and serve the public. As I have mentioned before, this attack is not about reducing the size of the federal government but rather about dismantling science to reverse current protections and prevent future ones.
We also depend on NOAA’s research to guide national policies on fossil fuels, automobiles, and industrial activity. When that science is gutted, it weakens our ability to hold polluters accountable and build a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. Instead of building our ability to be leaders in putting science into the service of our citizens, we are crippling our ability to protect people and the environment.
Federal policy seeks to build an economy around fossil fuels, while our County and the rest of the world are working to develop clean energy technologies that will create more sustainable products. This is an enormous market, and America is going to be left on the outside looking in if we are refusing to compete.
Our current course of action combines bad climate policy, with bad health policy and creates bad industrial policy that closes rather than opens doors for American ingenuity and production around the world – it's an economic dead end.
NOAA, a major employer in Silver Spring, has purged hundreds of workers. Thousands more NOAA workers across the country have been forced out, taking with them decades of knowledge and expertise. These are the people who provide the weather forecasts we rely on, track wildfires and storms, and deliver the data that governments use to prepare for extreme heat, flooding, and drought.
In addition to the concern about the continued loss of federal jobs, we are also losing the accurate, reliable science that our County and the entire country rely on to keep us safe from severe weather events. That is outrageous and indefensible.
I am not the only one outraged by the continued attacks on our scientific community and the data it generates to help protect us all. I hope you have time to watch my conversation with Craig McLean, a Montgomery County resident and the former Assistant Administrator for Research at NOAA. He has spent a career advancing public science, and he has seen firsthand the consequences of these cuts. I want to thank him for joining me for my media briefing on Tuesday, which you can watch on the County’s YouTube page. It is also at the top of this letter as one of two videos I am sharing with you this week.
Call to Action - Have Your Voice Heard
I am often asked by residents what can be done to respond to the outrageous acts by Trump. Below are two websites where you can submit objections to federal rollbacks:
- Repeal of EPA’s Endangerment Finding: EPA’s 2009 Endangerment Finding shows greenhouse gas emissions and climate change pollutants are bad for public health; these findings are based on decades of scientific evidence. Since it was enacted, it has provided legal and scientific support for rules that limit pollution under the 1970 Clean Air Act. Now, the EPA proposes finding that greenhouse gas emissions are not a danger to public health, which is simply untrue and would allow the fossil fuel industry to increase pollution. EPA has a comment period on this proposal open until September 22, 2025. Public comments can be submitted here: regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194-0093.
- DOE Report: The Department of Energy (DOE) released a report disputing the long-standing scientific consensus that greenhouse gas emissions are changing the climate and triggering extreme weather conditions. DOE has a comment period on this draft report open until September 2, 2025, at regulations.gov/document/DOE-HQ-2025-0207-0001.
This week, I was focused on the future of Montgomery County at the Bisnow conference. I shared a panel with Dave Bramble of MCB Real Estate to discuss Viva White Oak, the largest real estate investment ever in east Montgomery County. As I mentioned earlier, a good portion of my video this week is from that conversation.
The redevelopment of VIVA White Oak has been talked about for years, but not a shovel has gone into the ground. But that is changing. And that is because we finally have the right partner. MCB development will bring the jobs, housing, and amenities that residents of East County have been asking for. Dave and the MCB team bring the experience and commitment to make this project a reality.
The County is stepping up as well. We are proposing our first-ever Tax Increment Financing tool — a TIF — to support the roads and utilities that are essential for development. A TIF uses a portion of the new tax revenues generated by the project itself to finance the public infrastructure that makes it possible. It is a tool that has been used successfully in many other places, and one that will help us deliver the infrastructure needed to drive long-term growth without burdening taxpayers.
When built out, Viva White Oak will create nearly 9,000 permanent jobs and over $60 million a year in new tax revenue. It is also a chance to show that East County deserves — and will receive — the same level of investment and opportunity as other parts of Montgomery County.
I want to thank Bisnow for giving us the opportunity to highlight how this project can transform East County’s future, and I look forward to seeing the TIF go before the County Council in September so we can move forward with this important project.
MCPD Launches Innovative Partnership with University of Maryland Global Campus
This week, we announced a groundbreaking educational partnership between the Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) and the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC.) It is an investment in our police employees, their families, and the future of Montgomery County.
This program allows MCPD to allow individuals who currently do not have college credits to apply to be a police officer. Before this agreement, individuals could not begin the police academy without already having completed 60 college credits (which is equivalent to an associate degree). Going forward, those who graduate from our police academy, complete field training, and become certified Maryland police officers will receive 60 college credits. For entrants who already have 60 college credits, they can earn 30 additional college for completing the entire training.
In addition, officers can earn up to 30 credits for prior learning and workplace experiences, which can include military training, industry certifications, vocational education, and Google certificates. This is a path that recognizes alternative forms of learning.
For an individual receiving 120 credits (equivalent to a college degree) through this program, this benefit is worth up to $60,000 (calculated based on out-of-state tuition) per officer.
I expect that this will help us attract a more diverse pool of applicants.
In addition, all MCPD employees, along with their spouses and dependents, are eligible to receive discounted tuition rates for both undergraduate and graduate programs through UMGC. And to make it even easier to start, UMGC will waive application fees for MCPD employees.
I want to thank Chief Marc Yamada for leading this initiative. I see this as a powerful recruitment tool that will help us attract talented individuals to Montgomery County. By allowing applicants to fulfill our 60-credit requirement through their police training, we are opening the door to a wider, more diverse pool of qualified talent right here in Montgomery County. It also supports our veteran police personnel by enhancing their educational opportunities.
We currently have 178 sworn vacancies we need to fill, and this is the latest measure to improve our recruitment efforts. We are proud to lead the way in recognizing multiple paths to education and supporting those who protect and serve us every day. To learn more about becoming a police officer in Montgomery County visit joinmcp.com.
Thinking About an Electric Vehicle? Now’s the Time to Learn More
An important note: federal EV tax credits will expire September 30. I want to highlight an opportunity for you to learn more about electric vehicles (EV).
On Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., the Department of Environmental Protection will host the virtual event “Ask an EV Owner.” This is a great chance to hear directly from EV owners and experts about what it’s like to drive electric, how to take advantage of tax incentives, and what to expect when it comes to charging and maintenance.
"Ask an EV Owner" will occur just before the start of National Drive Electric Month, starting Sept. 12, a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. Encouraging more people to learn about the benefits of electric vehicles and ultimately converting adds to our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable transportation in Montgomery County. Since I’ve been County Executive, we have focused on expanding EV charging accessibility and making it easier for residents to adopt electric vehicles to reduce their carbon footprint.
This virtual forum is a timely opportunity to get your questions answered. Whether you’re just curious or seriously considering making the switch, I encourage you to sign up for the event.
RSVP: surveymonkey.com/r/75dhzy2
Let’s keep moving Montgomery County toward a cleaner, greener future together. Learn more about focusing on the health and sustainability of our environment at mygreenmontgomery.org.
“Clean Water Montgomery Grant” Applications Now Open
This week brought another exciting announcement focused on our water supply. Our Department of Environmental Protection has opened the application process for $900,000 in Clean Water Montgomery grants available to our local nonprofits and community organizations. These awards will range from $40,000 to $100,000 and will support projects that improve water quality and stream health across the County.
Now in its 11th year, this program is made possible through money collected from the Water Quality Protection Charge, a partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust.
Last year, we invested about $750,000 in these grants, and this year we are raising it to $900,000. We are doing that because protecting our waterways requires real partnerships — and because we recognize that many environmental nonprofits are struggling with fewer resources from the federal level.
These local investments matter. They empower watershed groups, civic associations, faith-based organizations, and community leaders to design and carry out projects that reduce stormwater runoff, install rain gardens, create permeable pavements, and reduce litter in our rivers. They also fund environmental workshops and community water-quality monitoring — hands-on projects that make a visible difference in our neighborhoods.
Eligible projects located throughout Montgomery County will be considered, except those in Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Takoma Park, since those municipalities manage their own stormwater systems.
Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13. Local nonprofits can visit cbtrust.org/grants/cleanwatermontgomery to learn more, register for the upcoming pre-application workshop on September 10, or review the request for proposals.
Supporting these groups helps improve our local streams and Chesapeake Bay. Sharing grant money also gets more people involved and brings diverse groups into the conservation conversation. This is how we keep moving forward on environmental protection: by working together at the community level, even when Washington refuses to lead.
HHS Outreach
With the summer ending and kids returning to school this week. I want to take a moment to recognize the important work they are doing across our County every single day.
This summer, HHS completed another successful Summer of Peace initiative — youth engagement programs that give young people constructive outlets, positive mentorship, and safe spaces to connect. These programs are building relationships that help prevent violence and keep our neighborhoods safer.
HHS is also expanding access to care through its Mobile Health and Dental Health vehicles. These clinics on wheels bring medical and dental services directly to communities where healthcare options are limited, ensuring residents don’t have to choose between long travel times or going without care. Within the next few weeks, the van will be in Poolesville, Wheaton, and Olney.
Another priority right now is vaccination outreach. With the start of the school year, it is critical that students are up to date on their shots. Our HHS team has been out in communities, at schools, and at events to ensure families have access to accurate information and convenient opportunities to get vaccinated. We offer free back-to-school vaccines through the end of September. Follow this link for dates and locations through September 27.
Substance misuse continues to be one of the most difficult challenges we face, and HHS is working on several fronts — reaching out to those struggling with addiction, helping families navigate treatment options, and supporting those who have lost loved ones.
If you witness or experience a medical emergency, call 911. HHS can help you find services and resources provided by County programs and help provided by community-based organizations. The Crisis Center is also available 24/7 at 240-777-4000. Call the ACCESS Team at 240-777-1770 if you need help finding a treatment program. You can learn more about the dangers surrounding opioids and fentanyl by visiting knowtherisksmc.org.
Our work is saving lives and leading to fewer overdose deaths compared to last year. On Thursday, the County held its annual International Overdose Awareness Day ceremony at the Leggett Executive Office Building in Rockville. At this event, I was joined by County Council President Kate Stewart and Councilmember Gabe Albornoz, chair of the Health and Human Services Commission, as we honored those who have passed.
The departed were remembered with dignity through a remembrance ceremony and candlelight vigil, which gave families and friends an opportunity to heal together. Some of the victims are memorialized with pictures that will line the walkway to Veterans Plaza for the next few weeks.
I want to thank Montgomery Goes Purple for its work planning this event and launching the Celebrating Recovery effort going on through September.
HHS is also on the frontline supporting our unhoused residents. We are closely monitoring the impact of President Trump’s actions to criminalize homelessness in the District of Columbia. While we have seen a small increase in our unhoused population over the past week, many of those who were moved off the streets in D.C. have been connected to emergency shelters there, as well as to facilities in Arlington County and the City of Alexandria.
Here in Montgomery County, HHS continues to help individuals find shelter and stability with compassion and care. You can find help by calling 311, emailing HHS@montgomerycountymd.gov, or visiting the Services to End and Prevent Homelessness website.
What ties all this work together is a commitment to prevention, education, and equity. HHS doesn’t wait for problems to grow into crises — they work proactively to serve every community in our County. Their outreach and engagement make Montgomery County a healthier, more compassionate place to live.
As always, my appreciation for all of you,
Marc Elrich
County Executive
