March 20, 2026

Message from the County Executive Marc Elrich


Dear Friends,

Before I left on my economic development trip, I had the honor of attending and co-hosting the 51st Annual Public Safety Awards. These awards honor men and women who lead with compassion, excel at collaboration, and are committed to creating a safer community. This week, in lieu of my regular video, I share excerpts of the ceremony.


Nonprofit Security Grant Supplemental




Even though the conflict in the Middle East is 1000s of miles away, it provokes consternation and concern here in our community. We know that when tensions rise globally, we may feel the impact right here.

Recently, we have heard directly from our faith communities and nonprofit partners. They are worried. They are seeing increased fear and concern among their congregants and staff following escalating hostilities in the Middle East and the recent, horrific terror attack at a synagogue in Michigan.

Hate has no home in Montgomery County. However, we are not immune to the fear and intimidation that some seek to spread. That is why Council President Natali Fani-González and I have announced $500,000 in supplemental funding for our Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

Since 2019, our County has committed more than $6.5 million to protect our nonprofit and faith-based institutions, making our program one of the few locally funded initiatives of its kind in the nation. This new supplemental funding is a rapid response to current needs and will focus specifically on security staffing over the next 90 days.

Here are a few key details regarding this support:
  • Targeted Aid: Funding is directed toward current grant recipients experiencing increased staffing needs.
  • Grant Caps: Supplemental awards will be capped at $10,000 per facility.
  • Administration: The program is managed by our Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, which provides vital training and coordination with public safety partners.
In addition to this funding, the Montgomery County Department of Police has already increased patrols at faith institutions, schools, and community gatherings. We are monitoring local conditions closely and coordinating with our federal and regional partners to ensure everyone stays safe. We want every resident to feel secure where they worship, where they gather, and where they serve others. I ask you to remain vigilant and look out for one another.

If you see something suspicious, please report it:
We stand with our communities of faith and our nonprofits as they provide critical services to our most vulnerable residents. Together, we will ensure that Montgomery County remains a welcoming and inclusive home for all.

Greetings from Taiwan

Right now, I am in Taiwan; I was invited to speak here at the global Net Zero Conference held in conjunction with the Taipei Computer Association’s annual Smart Cities Summit and Expo (SCSE). At SCSE, other meetings in Taipei and Taichung, Council Vice President Marilyn Balcombe and I have met with dozens of business prospects across industry sectors. These include biotech, medtech, diagnostic, and bio manufacturing companies, as well as companies in other advanced technology fields, including space communications, robotics, energy, security, education, transportation, health IT, and waste management.

While in Taiwan, I signed a MOU with the City of Taichung related to bilateral trade support, and we participated in the Taipei International Cities Forum hosted by Taipei’s Mayor Chiang Wan-an with whom we signed a similar MOU last year. We also met with representatives from Galaverse, and we are excited to partner with them to create a high-impact innovation hub connecting industry, academia, and government. Galaverse is a semiconductor company specializing in satellite systems, space-based infrastructure, and semiconductor integration, and this partnership positions Montgomery County as a critical hub for high-tech industries, including space communications, and international collaboration. 


Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council Vice President Marilyn Balcombe are joined by Galaverse CEO Joseph Chueh (center) and other Taipei business leaders meeting with the County delegation in Taiwan.

This potentially could bring to Montgomery County their semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing they're already doing worldwide. Our agreement strengthens supply chain resilience in the U.S. and supports technology exchange with other companies doing business here.

Working with international businesses looking for entry into the U.S. strengthens our economy, attracts investment, and positions Montgomery County as a critical hub for high-tech industries. Our State and region play a key role in enabling small or expanding companies to accelerate next-generation technology development. I expect the meetings we have had and the agreements we have signed with our international partners will lead to more highly skilled jobs in Montgomery County.

Updated Health Advisory for Recreation Activities in Potomac and DC Water Community Meetings

With the collapse of the Potomac Interceptor, we’ve been monitoring E. coli levels in the nearby Potomac River and have asked our residents to stay away from the water. On Monday, the County’s Department of Health and Human Services partially lifted the advisory against recreational activity in the Potomac River.

While remediation efforts continue, our health leaders continue to advise everyone to avoid the water and shoreline around Swainson Island and along the shore between this island and Lock 8, shown by the areas in purple on the map above. This is the advisory from Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis regarding areas affected by the Potomac Interceptor collapse and sewage leak.

This decision was made after discussions with state health leaders in both Maryland and Virginia and environmental leaders in Maryland and careful review of the information. There are still sections of the Potomac River closest to the Potomac Interceptor overflow site registering higher-than-normal levels of contamination. As a reminder, swimming, boating, and fishing in natural bodies of water always carry some level of risk to your health. Young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of falling ill.

DC Water said they’ve finished their work repairing that pipe and will now begin remediating the area. It is not work that is done quickly, so please understand that this health guidance may change as we see more activity around the spill site, more rain, or other factors that can impact E. coli levels moving forward.

For additional information, please see the Montgomery County Potomac Interceptor webpage.

I want to thank DC Water for honoring its commitment to our area and returning to Walt Whitman High School this week for a question-and-answer forum with our residents and other concerned neighbors. You can watch that forum on our Facebook page. As the weather warms up, I hope we see activity return to the Potomac River in areas where it is safe to enjoy the water.

FY27 Recommended Budget Supports Our Schools


Last Friday afternoon, I released my recommended FY27 operating budget, which fully funds the request from the Board of Education and provides $3.8 billion in operating funds for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), an increase of $189.9 million over the prior year and more than half of the County’s total tax-supported budget. The County contribution increases by $179.6 million.

Montgomery County Public Schools remains one of the most important investments we make as a community. Strong schools support working families, strengthen neighborhoods, and help sustain Montgomery County’s long-term economic vitality. And our per-pupil spending, when adjusted for inflation, is still not as high as it was in fiscal year 2010, even with the greater needs for our students.


The budget for MCPS includes:
  • Full funding of the negotiated compensation agreements for teachers and MCPS staff.
  • Additional support for special education.
  • Continued support for mental health, and Blueprint for Maryland’s Future implementation.
  • Funds 28 security officers at elementary schools.
  • A funding level that exceeds the State’s Maintenance of Effort requirement by nearly $202.8 million.
  • Restores and exceeds per-pupil spending from previous inflation-adjusted peak in FY10.
I appreciate the support from MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor and from the unions representing the teachers and staff. Dr. Taylor said, “Montgomery County Public Schools thanks the County Executive for his budget recommendation, which significantly increases operational funding for our school system and recognizes the essential needs of our students and staff. MCPS’ proposed budget focuses on the fundamentals—academic excellence, student well-being, and long-term financial sustainability. These investments are vital to ensuring every student has the tools to succeed in a modern learning environment. We remain committed to full transparency and will continue working closely with county officials to demonstrate the direct impact of these funds in our classrooms and school communities.”


“Once again, County Executive Elrich has demonstrated real leadership and a deep commitment to students, educators, and strong public schools; it is easy to make these commitments when times are good, it takes real courage in tough times like these,” said Montgomery County Educators Association President David Stein. “This budget makes critical investments in educator recruitment and retention, special education, and school safety. The County Council needs to follow the County Executive’s leadership and fully fund this budget.”

“The thousands of support staff represented by SEIU Local 500 are the backbone of Montgomery County Public Schools. Every day they keep our schools running and ensure students have the support and environment they need to succeed,” said SEIU Local 500 President Pia Morrison. “We are grateful to County Executive Marc Elrich for recognizing their importance by putting forward a budget that not only fully funds MCPS today but also advances thoughtful proposals to ensure stable funding for the future. That is the kind of leadership our students, families, and school staff deserve. We urge the County Council to stand with our school communities, support this proposal, and fully fund this budget.”

Early childhood education is a key determinant for a person’s success

My recommended budget also continues our commitment to early care and education with a 4% increase to the Early Care and Education Non-Departmental Account, including $500,000 to move children from the State child care scholarship waitlist into the County’s Working Parents Assistance Program, helping ensure that more families have access to reliable and affordable child care.

Access to high-quality child care is one of the most important determinants of a child’s academic success. It is also essential to Montgomery County’s economic health because reliable early care allows parents to participate fully in the workforce while ensuring that young children enter school ready to succeed.

Since the launch of the Early Care and Education Initiative in 2019, as a County we have:
  • Invested more than $71 million in early care and education initiatives.
  • Created more than 1,265 child care seats.
  • Supported more than 450 current and future early childhood educators through a Montgomery College credentialing pipeline.
Early childhood care is central to the success of our students and our workforce. My recommended budget is now before the County Council for their review. They will be holding five public hearings. You can get more information here.

Enjoy MoComCon Event This Weekend


The County’s 10th annual MoComCon, a celebration of fandom and all forms of engaging storytelling, gets underway Friday evening. BlackRock Center for the Arts is hosting opening ceremonies tonight, March 20, while the center and the Germantown Library will split hosting duties on Saturday, March 21.

Programming for children and families at the library includes storytelling, drawing stations, and interactive comic creation activities. BlackRock will host special programming and events for teens and adults, including the popular cosplay contest.

Our libraries have created a space where young people, families, artists, and lifelong fans can come together to celebrate creativity and imagination. This event gives aspiring writers and artists a place to share their work. They connect teens and families with positive, inclusive, and welcoming creative outlets. And they remind us that literacy takes many forms, including comics, graphic novels, and visual art.

For a full schedule of events, contest entry forms, and more click the link to the MCPL website.

I want to thank Montgomery County Public Libraries, the Friends of the Library, BlackRock Center for the Arts, and all the community partners that make this free event possible.

Eid Mumbarak and Happy Persian New Year

Finally, I want to wish a joyful and peaceful Eid to all who celebrate. May this special day bring you happiness, reflection, and time with loved ones. Eid al-Adha Mubarak.

I also want to acknowledge that Nowruz begins today, marking the Persian New Year and the first day of spring. It’s a time of renewal, reflection, prayer, and joy for many Iranian and Central Asian communities.

Montgomery County is one of the most diverse jurisdictions in this nation, if not the world. We embrace our diversity-- socio-economic, racial, ethnic, as well as religious. Our Muslim community is an important part of our County’s rich tapestry. We respect, honor, and are grateful for the contributions they provide to every community in our County.

As always, my appreciation for all of you,



Marc Elrich
County Executive

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