COVID-19 Economic Revitalization and Recovery Virtual Town Hall on Friday, March 5, Will Focus on Legal Advice for Small Businesses During the COVID-19 Crisis

“Legal Advice During the Pandemic” will be the theme from noon-1 p.m. on Friday, March 5, when Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Economic Revitalization and Recovery program continues its series of virtual town hall meetings to keep businesses informed on strategies for doing business as the health crisis continues. The upcoming town hall will feature Judy Stephenson, the County small business navigator, and Marla Bilonick, the executive director and CEO of the Latino Economic Development Center.

County Executive Marc Elrich initiated the series of town halls held every other Friday as a way to share timely updates on COVID-19 topics of interest to the business community. The town halls give businesses an opportunity to hear directly from County leaders. Jerome Fletcher, the County’s assistant chief administrative officer (ACAO) for economic development, hosts the sessions. He also provides updates on grant programs available to County businesses and offers ideas that can help economic recovery.

During the March 5 town hall, Ms. Stephenson and Ms. Bilonick will share information on a new legal advice program that the County will sponsor. In addition, the Latino Economic Development Center will provide information on the program to small businesses. The new program will include legal clinics and webinars.

Among the topics the legal program will cover will be rent issues, renegotiating contracts with vendors, renegotiating contracts with clients, renegotiating loans, employee/personnel issues, insurance concerns, starting a business and closing a business.

“Montgomery County understands that small and minority-owned businesses have an urgent need for legal assistance, particularly related to commercial leases,” said ACAO Fletcher. “We are partnering with the Latino Economic Development Center to help meet this need. Local businesses will have access to legal clinics to address specific issues and webinars on more general topics.”

The town hall will be broadcast live via Teams. To join the broadcast, go to https://tinyurl.com/4kknxdmp.

The town hall will be broadcast on County Cable Montgomery (cable station CCM), which is available on Comcast and RCN (channels 6 and HD996) and Verizon (channel 30). The town hall can be viewed live via County social media at https://www.facebook.com/montgomerycountyinfo.

Town halls are recorded and available for 90 days at the Montgomery County Business Portal at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/biz-resources/covid19/

COVID-19 Information Portal Has Statistics on How the Virus Has Impacted the County, Including Infections by Zip Codes

Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Information Portal provides a variety of breakdowns on how the virus has impacted the County. The statistics are regularly updated to reflect the most recent reports during the health crisis.

Among the information available is how many positive cases have been reported in each zip code in the County. That information can be found at https://montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/data/case-counts.html#cases-zip.

Other breakdowns on the COVID-19 Information Portal include:

• Confirmed Cases
• Confirmed Cases by Age and Month of Specimen Collection
• Cases by ZIP Code
• Deaths by Age and Gender
• Deaths by Demographics
• Deaths by ZIP Code
• Nursing Home Cases and Deaths
• Rt graph (time-varying reproduction number)
• Montgomery County Employee Cases

Where to Get Tested for COVID-19

There are numerous ways to get tested for COVID-19 in Montgomery County. The County operates dozens of clinics most weeks and rotates the locations to make testing easily accessible for residents in all parts of the County. In addition, there are many privately operated testing programs.

Testing at County-operated clinics is free, does not require a doctor’s referral and is available by making advance appointments or on a walk-up basis.

There may be a fee at privately operated sites. Residents should check in advance on any possible cost and available times at privately operated sites.

To view the schedule of upcoming County-operated test clinics, and to make an appointment, go to www.MoCoCOVIDtesting.org.

Inaugural ‘Bio Boot Camp’ Classes Graduate as Part of Innovative County Workforce Initiative That Will Help Fill Jobs in Life Sciences Sector

 

Montgomery College and the Universities at Shady Grove (USG), in conjunction with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), have completed two intensive pilot training programs designed to create a skilled talent pipeline to support the life sciences sector in Montgomery County. The four-week “Bio Boot Camp” program—a public-private effort announced in November 2020—was created to help kickstart recovery from the COVID-19 health crisis.

The pilot programs offered 22 participants opportunities for in-person learning experiences at each campus, commencing while both locations were closed for winter break. Plans are underway to identify additional resources and candidates to expand the program in the coming year.

Montgomery College launched its training on Jan. 11 to prepare participants for entry-level positions at interested local biotechnology companies. The class offered at the Bioscience Education Center on the Germantown campus met four days a week for four hours a day, totaling 64 contact hours.

Although many job vacancies preceded the pandemic, the most urgent need is filling jobs that support vaccine manufacturing, therapeutic manufacturing and diagnostic work. Montgomery College already had a biotechnology credit program that has helped place hundreds of workers in the sector. However, with demand increasing, it took the crucial aspects of its existing curriculum to create the boot camp.

"Taking this program from an idea to implementation and completion in such record time speaks to our ability to collaborate and take action to support the County’s critical workforce needs,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “This effort took an incredible level of coordination and teamwork. I particularly want to thank Doug Firstenberg, who chaired the Economic Advisory Group, and Angela Graham, president and CEO of Quality Biological, who worked so hard to make this program a reality. We look forward to expanding programs like these to support workers displaced by the pandemic and the talent pipeline of the burgeoning biotech industry of Montgomery County.”

The Bio Boot Camp effort was funded and implemented by Montgomery College, USG, the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) and WorkSource Montgomery.

“The biotech industry was already looking for skilled workers, and the pandemic accelerated that need,” said Dr. DeRionne Pollard, president of Montgomery College. “The industry offers career tracks with ample opportunities for growth. Montgomery College is proud to continue its tradition of providing educational offerings that support the needs of our County’s workforce.” 

In addition to the Montgomery College program, the UMBC Translational Life Science Technology program at the Universities at Shady Grove also is a partner in the effort to meet the urgent demand for employees at all levels in the biotech industry. USG offered a post-graduate module of the initiative at the lab facilities in its recently opened Biomedical, Sciences and Engineering building. The program targeted displaced workers with a science background and offered job-ready, hands-on training.

“With state-of-the-art teaching facilities and incredible university partners such as UMBC to provide the coursework and training, USG can be a tremendous asset to Montgomery County in the effort to build the skilled workforce that is so urgently needed in the life sciences industry, especially now in the face of the pandemic,” said Dr. Anne Khademian, USG executive director and associate vice chancellor of the University System of Maryland. “We believe programs like this boot camp initiative will only strengthen our national profile as a center point where the biotechnology and life science sectors intersect with regulatory science agencies.”

Program graduates will participate in job counseling and placement services offered by WorkSource Montgomery. Future boot camps will be developed based on lessons learned and understood needs following graduate job placements.

“We want to make sure we are helping the large concentration of biotech companies that are already here and that are looking to move or expand to Montgomery County,” said Anthony Featherstone, executive director of WorkSource Montgomery. “We believe the Bio Boot Camp is a prime example of synergies that exist throughout the County. This partnership will serve as a model in the development of future training programs in high-growth sectors for our displaced workers.”

MCEDC, a key financial supporter of the program, sees the Bio Boot Camp program as a way to drive economic expansion in the County.

“One of the biggest needs for businesses is the talent pipeline. We have a real edge here in Montgomery County with both our skilled workforce and educational assets,” said Benjamin H. Wu, president and CEO of MCEDC. “The ability of all the partners to quickly develop and fill these bio boot camps is a real testament to our County’s collaborative spirit and a desire to support both businesses and the community.”

More about the Bio Boot Camp program can be seen in videos at https://tinyurl.com/3p8h863c and at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAIBPYnh1j4.

My Green Montgomery: A Black Owner of a County Landscaping Company Offers His Views on Being in the Competitive Business as a Minority

Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection recently talked with Al McCoy Britt, II, founder and president of, as part of its My Green Montgomery program during Black History Month. He offered his thoughts on operating a local small business in the County—from how he started to being competitive in a business where Black companies are under-represented.

The entire interview with Al Britt can be found on the My Green Montgomery website at https://tinyurl.com/4f2n828m.

Here are some excerpts from the interview:

Please tell us a little bit about your company and your journey in the landscaping industry.

I started working outside with my brother when I was 13 and I started Britt Landscaping when I was 17. My brother and I started mowing neighbors’ yards in Silver Spring to make a little money for ourselves, but after a couple of years, he grew tired of it and stopped. I enjoyed working outside and making people’s lawns in the neighborhood look beautiful, so I kept going. I taught myself how to design the yards that people wanted and install the appropriate flowers for them. After a few years of this, around 1989, my mother saw that I was serious about my work, so she helped me incorporate into a company and do everything I needed to do to set up a business. My sister is an artist, so she designed my first logo and she helped me with the administration of my business. Thus, Britt Landscaping was born.  By 1990 my clientele grew by word-of-mouth up to 200 customers made up of primarily single-family homes. By 2000, I added Homeowner Associations and some commercial properties.

What commitments do you make in your hiring decisions?

When I am hiring people, I am committed to training them to succeed with us as leaders and within in this industry.  Everyone should have a skill that they can depend on to survive and make a living.  We do beautiful work and we have to train new employees (no matter what they say their experience level is) to get them up to our standards so that we can maintain and improve our standards, as well as grow our customer base.

I am also committed to creating a diverse and supportive work environment where employees and their families can thrive.  Happy and secure employees bring their best to the table creatively and through good work ethic.  We try to foster a work environment that is free from discrimination and that allows people to express themselves creatively, especially through nature.

My biggest challenge is finding people who want to work outside in nature, especially in the extremes of heat and cold in this area, but I love it out here.

What, if any, challenges do you feel you have had to overcome as a Black-owned business in the landscaping industry?

Some challenges we have had to overcome as minorities in this business include finding effective contacts and getting contracts. I look at some of my non-minority peers who have been able to obtain very large contracts and clients by sometimes just walking into the room. Often non-minorities have contacts that I just don’t have, so it takes a lot more networking for me to meet the contact that I need and then I have to really convince them to give us a chance. Many of us just don’t have the same circle of contacts that non-minorities have. Often times, my peers may have grown up with the people who are now the corporation owners or heads in government, so they have a leg up on obtaining contracts because of who they know, particularly in the private sector.

What do you think government or community leaders can do to support businesses like yours?

Montgomery County Government actually does a lot for minority-owned businesses and we are blessed to be in this County. They have programs that assist with hiring through the State’s Department of Labor and there is a plethora of nonprofit organizations that assist with business startup. Even though they provide these services, there just are not a lot of people who are interested in investing in a career working in landscaping. Even with these resources, we still struggle with hiring qualified, dependable people. But I do believe that Montgomery County and the State of Maryland make it fairly easy to start up a business and they do provide excellent resources to business owners, especially compared to other close jurisdictions.

Learn more about My Green Montgomery at https://mygreenmontgomery.org/.

Free Online Workshops for Job Seekers and Entrepreneurs in March

Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is offering free online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs throughout March. 

An Internet connection and a device (such as a smartphone, tablet or computer) is required for participation.

The workshop schedule includes the following:

• Monday, March 8. 1-3 p.m. Job Search Strategies in a Pandemic. Learn about best practices for conducting a job search in the current (pandemic) job market. Register: https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/4907499.
• Throughout March: Every Monday; 9:30-11:30 a.m. H.I.R.E. (Helping Individuals Reach Employment) sessions. Sign up to meet confidentially one-on-one with a career counselor for advice and assistance with your job search. Register Monday, March 8: https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/4907451.
• Wednesday, March 17. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. How to Apply for Jobs with Montgomery County Government. Find out about applying for jobs with Montgomery County Government. Register: https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/4841625.
• Tuesday, April 20/Thursday, April 22. 5:45-7:45 p.m. (March session full—now registering for April). LinkedIn Boot Camp (Part I / Part II). Two-session/two-day workshop focuses on the mechanics and strategy of using LinkedIn as a tool to conduct a successful job search. Register: https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/4760607.
• Tuesday, March 9. 10-11:30 a.m. Introduction to Entrepreneurship.Workshop will cover the fundamentals of building a business and help determine if you are really ready to become a small business owner. Brought in partnership with the Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC). Register: https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/4778098.

Free Online Financial Health and Wellness Seminars Can Help Women Strengthen Their Financial Knowledge

Women seeking to strengthen their financial knowledge and understanding can take advantage of free online financial seminars being offered in March by the Montgomery County Commission for Women and Montgomery County Public Libraries. The sessions are geared to assist women, but are open to everyone.  

The events will be presented on Zoom from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings, with Jamie Lapin leading the workshops. Although the seminars are free, registration is necessary. For more information or to register, visit the Commission for Women website. 

A link to join the seminars will be forwarded after registration. 

The series will include:

• March 9: Planning for Retirement. Not running out of money before running out of time is most people’s biggest concern. The goal of this seminar is to maximize your resources and autonomy.
• March 16: Social Security and Medicare. Learn how to utilize and maximize the government programs you have invested in during a working lifetime.
• March 23: Divorce and Money. Divorce is a strain on finances as well as nerves. Will you be fiscally okay when it is over? What is your role in making sure that happens?

Women’s History Month to be Celebrated by County Libraries with Free Online Events in ‘Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced’ Series

Women's History Month will be celebrated by Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) with free online events throughout the month of March with the series “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced." The programs—suitable for all ages—will feature lectures, discussions and story times.

The program schedule will include:

• Monday, March 8. 2-3 p.m. The Path to Leadership: The Next Chapter; Influential Women in Montgomery County Politics. Claire McDonald, creator of Montgomery History’s online exhibit “The Path to Leadership,” ​will discuss the influence of Montgomery County women in the political arena pre- and post-suffrage.
• Wednesday, March 10. 1-2 p.m. Grit and Gusto: Farmerettes and Suffragettes. On the celebration of Centennial of America’s entry into World War I, the presentation highlights how women in Maryland rallied to new involvement and activism during 1917-18.
• Friday, March 12. 3-4 p.m. The Better Angels: Five Women Who Changed Civil War America. Historian Robert C. Plumb will discuss his book “The Better Angels: Five Women Who Changed Civil War America.”
• Saturday, March 13. 10:30-11 a.m. Family Storytime @ MCPL. Stories about resourceful, adventurous, brave and downright determined princesses.
• Wednesday, March 24; 2-3 p.m. A Tale of Two Counties: The Status of Women in Montgomery County. Patricia Maclay, a commissioner with the Montgomery County Commission for Women, will present an overview of the Commission’s work in the community.
• Thursday, March 25; 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Women against Slavery: Then and Now - Book Talk: "Speak a Word for Freedom: Women against Slavery." Women abolitionists have always faced opposition, but they have persevered. The author will highlight the valiant work of several women abolitionists past and present.

For more information about MCPL Women's History Month events, visit the MCPL website.

Women’s History Month Annual ‘Girl Power Contest’ Now Accepting Entries with Theme on Questions and Advice for the Vice President

In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Montgomery County Commission for Women is seeking entries for its fourth annual Girl Power Contest. County residents age 5 and up are eligible to submit a short story, a poem or a drawing that relates to this year’s theme on questions and advice for the Vice President.

Contest entries must address the following official question:

“History has been made with the United States electing its first ever female Vice President. If you had the opportunity, what advice would you give her? And what three important issues should she consider addressing while in office?”

Entries typically are short stories, poems and drawings. Creativity is encouraged. Entries will be judged on creativity—and they must refrain from using vulgarities and racist or sexist comments or images. Winning entries will be selected in four categories: elementary school, middle school, high school and adult.

All contest winners will be featured in Commission for Women social media and receive a swag bag.

Submissions will be accepted through Wednesday, March 31, and are limited to one per person. Written entries should be no more than 500 words. Entries should include the entrant’s full name, age, grade, school (if applicable), telephone number and email address. Winners will be announced by April 30.

For more information and to submit entries for the 2021 Girl Power Contest online, go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cfw/. Entries should be made electronically through the entry form on the website. Though not encouraged, entries may also be submitted by email to  cfwinfo@montgomerycountymd.gov or mailed to 2021 Girl Power Contest / Montgomery County Commission for Women / 21 Maryland Avenue, Suite 330 / Rockville, MD 20850.  

Entries submitted by minors must include written permission from a parent or guardian and be the minor’s own work. All entries become the property of the Montgomery County Commission for Women and may be used for publicity purposes.

The contest is sponsored by the Montgomery County Commission for Women, Montgomery County Public Libraries and Friends of the Library of Montgomery County.

For more information, call 240-777-8300 or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cfw .

County to Host Online Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Conversation Wednesday, March 10

Montgomery County residents can join an online conversation at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, about suicide prevention and mental health issues impacting the community as the COVID-19 health crisis continues.

The session is part of the series “Wellness Community Events: Healing and Holding On—One Conversation at a Time for the Community,” which is focused on mental health and wellness issues affecting the community during the health crisis.

Join the conversation via Teams Live at https://bit.ly/wellness-community-7 or view it live on the County’s cable station County Cable Montgomery or on the County’s Facebook page.

During the conversation, Tammi Ginsberg and David O’Leary, board members for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will share their personal experiences with suicide loss and mental illness. They will address how to reach out to someone in crisis and explain why self-care is an important factor in suicide prevention.

In 2019, 47,511 Americans took their own lives, making suicide the nation’s 10th-leading cause of death. However, suicide can be prevented.

The virtual meetings are held every other Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The events are free, open to the public and no registration is required. 

For more information, visit the County’s COVID-19 website and click on mental health resources or email hhsmail@montgomerycountymd.gov.