‘Let Freedom Ring’: Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center and FMCA to Host Fee-Waived Adoption Event for Big Dogs and Small Animals from June 30-July 7

Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) is holding a fee-waived adoption event for all dogs 40 pounds and over and small animals from Thursday, June 30, through Thursday, July 7. The “Let Freedom Ring” event is sponsored by Friends of Montgomery County Animals (FMCA).

The summer months are a wonderful time to bring a new family member home. Adopting is easy—and even easier with the fees waived.

The adoption process can be started online by filling out the adoption questionnaire and sending in the required items listed on the website. More information can be found at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/adoption/howtoadopt.html.

New animals regularly arrive at the shelter. Patrons are encouraged to view adoptable animals at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/adoption/index.html.

Adoptions are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and by appointment only. Appointments can be reserved by filling out an adoption questionnaire on the website.

Patrons who submit the questionnaire and all required documents during the event, but who are unable to schedule an appointment, will receive a voucher for waived fees valid through Thursday, July 14. Potential adopters can also walk-in to adopt during the shelter’s published hours of operations and will receive a voucher if no counselors are available. Adoptions are same-day, so patrons should be prepared to take home an animal on the day of their appointment.

The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center provides high-standard sheltering and care to the homeless, abused, and neglected animals. It ensures the safety and welfare of the County’s residents. It is the County's only open-admission, municipal shelter. Through adoptions, education, outreach and more, MCASAC serves as a critical community resource to promote and advocate for responsible pet care. Animal Services Officers are available seven days a week to investigate complaints and respond to animal emergencies 24 hours a day. For more information, visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices.

‘The Life and Hats of Milliner Mae Reeves: A Conversation with Her Daughter, Donna Limerick’ to be Presented by Montgomery History on Tuesday, July 5

One of the many extraordinary exhibits in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture is Mae’s Millinery Shop. Lifted nearly complete from its original home in Philadelphia, it is now recognized as a historical treasure. At 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, “The Life and Hats of Milliner Mae Reeves” will be featured in a free online presentation from Montgomery History.

Mae was a pioneering milliner who was famous for her custom-made hats. She was active in her field from 1940 until 1997. She passed away in 2016 at age 104.

At age 28, she opened "Mae's Millinery Shop," located at 1630 South Street in Philadelphia. By so doing she became one of the first African American women to own her own business in downtown Philadelphia.

Her clients included celebrities such as Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Eartha Kitt, Marian Anderson and socialites from illustrious families, including the duPonts and the Annenbergs. Women from many professions and from churches also came to purchase hats from Ms. Reeves. She made trips to New York City and Paris to procure materials for her custom-made hats.

Mae’s daughter, Donna Limerick, a longtime resident of Montgomery County, will join Montgomery History's collections manager, Elizabeth Lay, in the presentation to discuss Mae’s entrepreneurial spirit. They also will share memories of her waiting on customers in the shop and reveal cherished family photographs.

To register free and join the presentation, go to » WATCH (montgomeryhistory.org).

Applications for Hotel Relief Grants to Open on Friday, July 1

A new Hotel Relief Grant Program is set to launch on Friday, July 1, for Montgomery County hotels with 10 or more rooms and Bed and Breakfasts with five or more rooms. The ownership of these facilities must be based in Maryland and be able to demonstrate a loss of revenue of 25 percent or more from September 2021 through January 2022 compared to September 2019 through January 2020. Up to $500 per room in Hotel Relief Grant money is available.

Applications, when available, can be found online at the Montgomery County Business Portal. Applications will be accepted through July 22. The business portal will include program details, including eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions.

“There are few industries that have been impacted as significantly from the pandemic as our hospitality businesses,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Our leisure and hospitality businesses employ approximately 12 percent of our County’s workforce and the World Tourism Organization has predicted that this sector will not recover fully until 2024. It is imperative that we continue to assist this industry’s recovery efforts in order to help them support their workforce. I encourage all County hotels and B and B’s to apply for this newest round of grants.”

This is the fourth round of the Hotel Relief Grant Program provided by the County using ARPA funds provided by the State of Maryland. To date, more than $6.8 million has been distributed. In this round, the total grant funding available is $2,690,000.

The Hotel Relief Grant Program is administered by Visit Montgomery, in partnership with the Montgomery County Business Advancement Team.

“Visit Montgomery is pleased to see the County’s support for the local lodging industry,” said Kelly R. Groff, president and CEO of Visit Montgomery. “The pandemic resulted in a dramatic downturn in travel. The recovery for the business transient, meetings and conference sectors has been slower than originally anticipated. These grants will provide needed support to the lodging sector through a full recovery.”

Businesses are encouraged to check their standing with the State of Maryland before submitting an application. Awards cannot be made to businesses that are not in good standing.

Questions about the program should be sent to: info_@visitmontgomery.com

New ‘Welcome to Burtonsville’ Signs Unveiled

Montgomery County Executive Elrich, County Council President Gabe Albornoz and Councilmembers Tom Hucker and Will Jawando recently joined with other County officials to unveil one of two newly installed “Welcome to Burtonsville” signs. The County’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ Neighborhood Revitalization Section facilitated installation of the signs in the community in the northeastern part of the County.

The sign unveiled in the official ceremonies is located on the north side of Route 198 and in the 15000 block of Old Columbia Pike, adjacent to the Burtonsville Town Square Shopping Center. The other sign is located on the south side of Route 198 and in the 3100 block of Spencerville Road, directly across from the Idara Jaferia Islamic Center.

“These new signs not only enhance the sense of community in Burtonsville, but also serve to brand the area and help establish Burtonsville as a desirable destination in the County,” said County Executive Elrich. “Additionally, they are a reminder of the truly transformative improvements made to the façades and sites of several properties located along Route 198 thanks to the County’s Façade Improvement Program. On July 1, we are launching our new Countywide Façade Improvement Program. The program makes available $3.5 million in funding through Fiscal Year 2028 to support commercial property and business owners in transforming their buildings—like those here in Burtonsville—with new, visually appealing exteriors.

As part of the façade improvement program, DHCA worked with property owners, including Katz & Company Property Management and Site Realty, to help transform the outdated exteriors and remove prior signage.

“Through the new, Countywide Façade Improvement Program, DHCA will work with property and business owners across the County to improve and transform their properties,” said Aseem K. Nigam, director of DHCA. “We are targeting initial outreach in Glenmont, Hillandale, Layhill, Long Branch, Montgomery Village and Wheaton, but will work to enhance properties in other targeted areas throughout Montgomery County.”

Property owners in Burtonsville participated in the County’s Façade Easement program. Through a contribution of funds up to 50 percent of the cost for façade improvements, the program significantly transformed the appearance of buildings and the site of the Burtonsville Village Center and its roughly 20 businesses.

Board of Elections Installs 55 Ballot Drop Box Locations for Upcoming Gubernatorial Primary Election

The Montgomery County Board of Elections has posted online a list of 55 ballot drop box locations available to voters for the 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election. The ballot drop boxes will remain open until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, July 19. Voters can submit their completed mail-in ballots in any drop box located in Montgomery County.

Three of the drop boxes will be located in senior living facilities limited to residents in Asbury Village, Leisure World and Riderwood.

Eligible voters in Maryland have been mailed applications for mail-in ballots. Applications for mail-in ballots must be received by July 12. Mail-in ballots will be sent to voters via first-class U.S. Mail beginning June 13.

To be counted, mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than July 19, and the oath on the postage-paid return envelope that arrives with the ballot must be signed. Those who choose to cast their votes using ballot drop boxes must submit their completed ballots by the final collection time—8 p.m. on Tuesday, July—for their ballot to count.

To identify the nearest ballot drop box and post office locator, text BOX plus zip code (example: BOX 20879) to 77788 or visit 777vote.org.

To request a Mail-in ballot, text VBM to 77788 or visit 777vote.org.

The locations of the ballot drop boxes (NOTE: * Denotes senior living communities with drop boxes only for residents of those respective communities):

• Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
• Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Mill Road, Kensington, MD 20895
• *Asbury Methodist Village, 201 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 (limited to residents)
• Bauer Drive Community Rec Center, 14625 Bauer Drive, Rockville, MD 20853
• Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, 4301 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814
• Bette Carol Thompson Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Center, 7700 Scotland Drive, Potomac, MD 20854
• Clarksburg High School, 22500 Wims Road, Clarksburg, MD 20871
• Col. Zadok Magruder High School, 5939 Muncaster Mill Road, Rockville, MD 20855
• Damascus Community Recreation Center, 25520 Oak Drive, Damascus, MD 20872
• Damascus High School, 25921 Ridge Road, Damascus, MD 20872
• East County Community Recreation Center, 3310 Gateshead Manor Way, Silver Spring, MD 20904
• Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD 20850
• Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 South Park Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
• Gaithersburg High School, 101 Education Boulevard, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
• Germantown Community Recreation Center, 18905 Kingsview Road, Germantown, MD 20874
• Gwendolyn E. Coffield Community Recreation Center, 2450 Lyttonsville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
• James Hubert Blake High School, 300 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905
• Jane E. Lawton Community Recreation Center, 4301 Willow Lane, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
• John F. Kennedy High School, 1901 Randolph Road, Silver Spring, MD 20902
• *Leisure World of Maryland, 3701 Rossmoor Blvd., Silver Spring, MD 20906 (limited to residents)
• Longwood Community Recreation Center, 19300 Georgia Avenue, Brookeville, MD 20833
• Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901
• Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center, 14906 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 20866
• Mid-County Community Recreation Center, 2004 Queensguard Road, Silver Spring, MD 20906
• Montgomery Blair High School, 51 University Boulevard East, Silver Spring, MD 20901
• Montgomery County Board of Elections, 18753 North Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 (Drive-up Box)
• Montgomery County Conference Center Marriott Bethesda North, 5967 Executive Boulevard, North Bethesda, MD 20852
• Nancy H. Dacek N. Potomac Community Recreation Center, 13850 Travilah Road, Rockville, MD 20850
• Northwest High School, 13501 Richter Farm Road, Germantown, MD 20874
• Northwood High School, 919 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD 20901
• Paint Branch High School, 14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 20866
• Poolesville High School, 17501 West Willard Road, Poolesville, MD 20837
• Potomac Community Recreation Center, 11315 Falls Road Potomac, MD 20854
• Quince Orchard High School, 15800 Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
• Richard Montgomery High School, 250 Richard Montgomery Drive, Rockville, MD 20852
• *Riderwood Senior Living, 3140 Gracefield Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904 (limited to residents)
• Robertson Park Youth Center, 801 Rabbitt Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
• Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850
• Rockville High School, 2100 Baltimore Road, Rockville, MD 20851
• Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Dept., 17921 Brooke Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
• Seneca Valley High School, 19401 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown, MD 20874
• Sherwood High School, 300 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
• Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910
• Springbrook High School, 201 Valley Brook Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20904
• Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912
• Thomas S. Wootton High School, 2100 Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD 20850
• Upper County Community Recreation Center, 8201 Emory Grove Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
• Walt Whitman High School, 7100 Whittier Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20817
• Walter Johnson High School, 6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814
• Watkins Mill High School, 10301 Apple Ridge Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
• Wheaton High School, 12401 Dalewood Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20906
• Wheaton Library and Community Recreation Center, 11701 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902
• White Oak Community Recreation Center, 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20904Wilson Wims Elementary School, 12520 Blue Sky Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871
• Winston Churchill High School, 11300 Gainsborough Road, Potomac, MD 20854

For election related information, call the 240-777-8500, go to www.777vote.org or visit the Maryland State Board of Elections’ website at https://elections.maryland.gov.

Free Tax Help Available for Income-Eligible County Residents Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

The Community Action Agency's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, Montgomery County’s only year-round VITA program, is offering free tax help for the current year (2021), prior years (2018-20) and for amended returns. Virtual and in-person appointments are available for County residents with household incomes of $58,000 or less.

Now through the end of October, in-person tax appointments are available from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Community Action Agency office, which is located at 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 320, in Rockville. Virtual appointments are available from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays. Assistance with Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) applications is available on Thursdays.

As part of VITA’s free tax help, the program links residents with valuable tax credits that can provide critical support to households. This year’s historic expansion of the Federal and State Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Child Tax Credit and the County’s Working Families Income Supplement (WFIS) added thousands of dollars in tax refunds that may be available for individuals and families. This included ITIN taxpayers who were eligible for the State EITC and the County WFIS for the first time.

It is not too late for residents to claim these credits. VITA helps ensure that taxpayers receive all credits for which they are eligible.

Information about post-season appointments is available on the CASHBACK website in English, Spanish, Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean and Vietnamese. Eligible residents may schedule an appointment by calling 240-777-1123 or by visiting the CASHBACK scheduling page.

Visit the Community Action Agency’s website for more information.

MCAEL Will Award $1,345,000 in Grants to 23 Organizations in Fiscal Year 2023 to Support Adult English Literacy Programs

The Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL) will distribute a total of $1,345,000 in grants in Fiscal Year 2023 to 23 organizations to support adult English literacy programs across Montgomery County. The grants will help equip the organizations in their efforts to host adult literacy classes and work with some of the more than 125,000 adults in Montgomery County who report that they speak English “less than very well.”

Funding for the grants is provided in partnership with the Montgomery County Government, with the support of County Executive Marc Elrich and the Montgomery County Council.

“We are excited to work with the grant recipients this upcoming year, in addition to all of the community members who participate in our trainings,” MCAEL Executive Director Kathy Stevens. “Through the work of the entire coalition, more and more adults in Montgomery County are gaining the English skills they need to speak English, read news or writing skills to fill out a job application.”

The 23 organizations receiving grants will provide 31 overall adult literacy programs in Fiscal Year 2023, which begins on July 1.

Recommendations for funding were made to the MCAEL Board of Directors by a 12-member volunteer Grant Review Panel comprised of community members.

The FY23 grant recipients include, in alphabetical order:

• Ana A. Brito Foundation, Inc.
• Association of Vietnamese Americans
• Briggs Center for Faith and Action
• CASA
• Catholic Charities
• Chinese Culture and Community Service Center
• Chinese American Parent Association of Montgomery County
• Community Reach of Montgomery County
• Covenant Life Church
• Ethiopian Community Center
• Family Services, Inc.
• Francophone Africans Alliance, Inc.
• George B. Thomas Learning Academy
• Hughes United Methodist Church
• Identity, Inc.
• IMPACT Silver Spring
• Kings & Priests Court International Ministries Inc.
• Literacy Council of Montgomery County
• Mill Creek Parish United Methodist Church
• Rockville Seniors, Inc.
• Seneca Creek Community Church
• Vietnamese American Services
• Washington New Covenant Fellowship Church

The goal of the MCAEL grants program is to increase the availability of adult ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and literacy services that support identified community needs and diverse populations. New this year, MCAEL introduced a subcategory of “Access Grants—Access Small Grants” to encourage more community- and faith-based organizations to offer adult English classes.

“This is an especially important time for our coalition as many are emerging from pandemic isolation and looking for work. More opportunities to collaborate are out there, and our entire community should be able to participate both personally and professionally,” said Ms. Stevens. “With the continued work of these 23 grant partners, even more adults in Montgomery County will now have access to opportunities that could change their lives.”

More information about the FY23 grant awards can be found in the “Grant Awards for FY23” page available on the MCAEL website at https://www.mcael.org/grant-recipients.

MCAEL is a community coalition of public, nonprofit and business partners that support nearly 60 adult ESOL and literacy service programs, more than 1,000 instructors and staff and approximately 11,000 adult learners. The Coalition works to help adults gain the English literacy skills needed to reach their potential as parents, workers and community members. By advancing a coalition of organizations dedicated to enabling all County residents to achieve their full potential,

For more information on MCAEL, visit www.mcael.org.

‘Funding Support for Nonprofits’ and ‘Encuentre Sus Recursos’ Will Be Next Seminars in County Economic Development Corporation’s Series on ‘Getting Things Done’

“Funding Support for Nonprofits” and “Recursos para Hacer Crecer Su Negocio” will be the next online seminars in the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation’s series of webinars on “Getting Things Done in Montgomery County.” The seminars will be presented Thursday, July 7, and Wednesday, July 13, respectively.

The seminar on funding sources for nonprofits will be moderated by Nicole Merlene, an MCEDC economic development specialist. Scheduled guest speakers include Kim Jones, a consultant for Montgomery College’s Nonprofit Training Institute; Lavontte Chatmon, the interim executive director of Nonprofit Montgomery; and Anna Hargrave, executive director of The Community Foundation in Montgomery County.

“Encuentre Sus Recursos,” the Spanish-language webinar on resources for small businesses, will be moderated by Daniel Parra, MCEDC director of business diversity and inclusion. Scheduled guest speakers include María Godoy, senior small business instructor and trainer at the Latino Economic Development Center; Marisela Villamil, a senior business consultant with the Maryland Small Business Development Center; and Mauricio Vasquez, director of programs for the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

To register to participate in the nonprofit seminar on July 7, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrdOyvqjMqGtJdVN4uELUhm6lCMYObXScE.

To register to participate in the Spanish-language small business on July 13, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtfuyrrD4tGt2O027xAcQ7g9srQQ3mHxfd.

Message from the County Executive

Dear Friends,

It is hard to believe it has already been a year and a half since we began to distribute vaccines to help combat the COVID-19 virus. This week, we hit a major milestone as our last age group – babies from 6 months to young children 5 years old – are now eligible for their vaccine.

  

The County is offering clinics specifically for this age group. However, the vast majority of the vaccine doses are being distributed to private providers, which is why we’re asking families to make appointments with their health care providers if they are available. There will be limited appointments (no walk-ins) at the county clinics, and we will get everyone vaccinated, but it may require some patience. There are online tools from the Federal government and on the County website (https://montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/) to help guide you to the nearest available vaccines.

We have also set up a Frequently Asked Questions page to help. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook for changes to our plan or updates to our vaccine scheduling.

This is an exciting time and potentially a great boost for our community safety. With this latest wave of COVID-19 infections, we have seen that even though many of our neighbors are vaccinated and boosted these variants can still break through and lead to outbreaks. We have been hearing from parents of daycare and school-aged children who only in the last month or so have had to deal with quarantines to control outbreaks in classrooms.

Remember that while these shots are not a shield that blocks all infection, they are important to shield you from severe impacts. 

Montgomery is most vaccinated, but we must do better with boosting

We want to stress that getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from a serious illness from COVID-19. It’s also helped keep our mortality rates low. This graph shows how vaccinations can reduce the chances of hospitalization as compared to the unvaccinated.

Throughout this pandemic, the unvaccinated have been hit much harder. Even recently unvaccinated people were three times more likely to be hospitalized than the fully vaccinated. During the winter Omicron surge, the rate of hospitalization for unvaccinated patients eight times higher than for fully vaccinated patients. Montgomery County’s COVID-19 community level determined by the CDC remains Medium.

Montgomery County residents have done an incredible job of showing up for vaccines. According to the CDC, 88 percent of our total population is fully vaccinated. That is 21.2 percentage points higher than the national average of 66.8 percent. This is one of the main reasons why our County has two-thirds of the national death rate from COVID-19.

Last December, The Washington Post wrote, “Perhaps the most highly vaccinated large county in America, according to New York Times data, is Montgomery County, Md.” Last week, stacker.com ranked all the counties in each state by the percentage of fully vaccinated people. Not only are we the most vaccinated county in Maryland, but the report also found that our vaccination rate was 15 percent higher than the state average and that our death rate was close to 20 percent lower than the state’s death rate per 100,000 people.

However, despite this incredible performance in being fully vaccinated, only 56.1 percent of our residents have received their booster and this number has remained stagnant for weeks. Although this rate is 8.9 percentage points higher than the national average at 47.2 percent, we should be doing better, and we need your help. If you are already boosted, remind your family and friends to do so and please share our website GoVaxMoCo.com with your social media networks.

Vaccinations and boosters are critical and are saving lives. Let’s continue to take our shots!

Food, fun, and festivities with our seniors at 55+BBQ

Earlier this week I got a chance to celebrate our seniors with the 55+ BBQ Bonanza. Our Recreation Department hosted more than 400 people at Smokey Glen Farm in Gaithersburg for a fun-filled day of great food and activities like games, crafts, nature walks, softball, and line dancing.



One reason I wanted to be there was to thank everyone for their vigilance, patience, and the sacrifices they have made since March of 2020. Until we had vaccines available, many seniors went months without visits from their loved ones during the pandemic. When the County needed to be shut down, our Recreation Department and Health and Human Service departments found new ways to get meals delivered to hundreds of seniors who depend on the Senior Nutrition Program. When the senior centers were closed and there were no dances--dancing went on via Zoom meetings. When it was safe to go outside, but not gather inside buildings, parking lots became the dance floors.



We prioritized our senior population during this pandemic, and our seniors did what they needed to do to keep themselves safe. Since the vaccinations arrived last year, we have consistently held the highest vaccination rates in the nation for our 65+, and these efforts have helped us have two-thirds of the nation’s death rate when it comes to COVID-19.

The pandemic made things very challenging for our older residents – but it is wonderful that we can be back together and participate in events like this one.

New report moves DMV to  No. 2 in nation for life sciences research talent

Not only are we topping the nation in getting COVID vaccines into the arms of residents, we also boast some of the top talent in the life sciences businesses--whose employees are working to keep us safe. I'm excited to share news from a study published this month that ranks our region as one of the top talent clusters for Life Sciences Research Talent in the nation.

CBRE is an international company that looks at commercial business trends. It has determined that the Washington, D.C. Baltimore Region is the second-best area in the nation for life sciences research business behind Boston at No. 1 and San Francisco, New York and San Diego just behind us. During my weekly media briefing this week, Ian Anderson, senior research director with CBRE, explained some of the many factors we have working in our favor.



We are close to many government organizations, including the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which are headquartered in Montgomery County. We also have the advantage of being close to several higher education institutions that are putting many life sciences graduates into the workforce, including the University of Maryland, Howard University and Johns Hopkins University. These graduates are becoming medical scientists, data scientists and biologists.

The reason this is important for Montgomery County is because of our successful efforts to reap the benefits of this booming industry which has seen 131 percent growth over the last 20 years. And we are committed to growing this life sciences talent pool.

Last year, we signed an important MOU between the County, Montgomery College, the Universities at Shady, the University System of Maryland, and our life science companies that will help connect our students to this industry – providing them incredible education experiences while ensuring we are providing well-trained and well-educated potential workers for this industry.

Just this month, we have welcomed the expansion of Regenxbio biohealth company, which specializes in gene therapy, and Montgomery County-based Novavax had its COVID-19 vaccine approved by Federal regulators for Emergency Use Authorization. Additionally, Montgomery County currently has a record 3 million square feet of lab space in development, is home to the developing Global Pandemic and Biodefense Center. It is also growing our artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotech sectors that are also critical to the life sciences. Please take a read of this interview I did last year with BioBuzz that highlights many of these efforts.

Last week to apply for COVID rental relief funds

The deadline for emergency rental relief meant to help people who have fallen behind because of COVID-19 is June 30. Applicants must complete their applications by this upcoming Thursday in order to receive the help. We know hundreds of people have started the application for emergency rental assistance, but did not finish. So far, we have received more than 2,400 applications for the COVID-19 Rent Relief Program with 95 percent coming from the tenants themselves, and 5 percent being submitted directly by landlords.

To apply for these funds, households must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

• Have experienced COVID-19 financial hardship.
• Have a household gross income from either their 2020 or 2021 tax return or the previous 30 days that is at or below 50 percent of area median income, which is around $110,000.
• Have resided in Montgomery County since at least August 2021.
• Have an obligation to pay rent, formally or informally.
• Be behind on their rental obligation by at least two months.

Besides immediate rent relief, we also need to move on the temporary rent stabilization bill that would limit annual rental increases to 4.4 percent for residential landlords countywide. We are hearing of extremely high rent increases that renters cannot afford especially with the higher grocery prices, gas prices, and inflation. While this is a national problem, we can do something locally.

We have heard from some people who have told us they have been given notice that their rent will soon jump by 20 percent if we do not put these protections in place. We must pass this legislation quickly to protect renters in Montgomery County from being priced out of their homes.

'A sad time in American history'

The Supreme Court is currently ruling on many important issues this month ranging from reproductive rights to gun control to immigration and affirmative action.

This week’s Supreme Court ruling in NYSRPA v. Bruen is a blow to our nation’s efforts to keep us safe from gun violence. It is not a surprise that a Supreme Court packed with dangerous, right-wing idealogues would rule this way.

As Justice Breyer noted in his dissent, “Since the start of this year, there have been 277 reported mass shootings – an average of more than one per day. Gun violence has now surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of death among children and adolescents.”

In Montgomery County, we will continue to use all our legal authority and every policy proposal and innovative approach possible to keep our residents safe from gun violence. We will also continue to advocate for needed changes at the state and federal levels.

When we recently experienced the scourge of “ghost guns,” I, and other elected leaders in this County joined our Attorney General and General Assembly to ban them. The Supreme Court ruling today has undermined our ability to keep people safe.

This Supreme Court is clearly politically motivated on the most important issues facing our society. They are not doing the right thing. It is a sad time in American history.

RIP Reggie Felton: First Black president of the County Board of Education

This week, we lost a true champion for education and a well-respected community leader. Reginald “Reggie” Felton served on the MCPS Board of Education for 10 years between 1994 and 2004 and was the first Black person to serve as president of the Montgomery County Board of Education. In 2007, Reggie took his leadership skills and expertise to higher education when the Governor appointed him to serve on the Board of Trustees for Montgomery College.

Reggie was a passionate fighter for Montgomery County students and families, always prioritizing equity and dedicated to ensuring all children received a quality education. Our sympathies are with his wife of 52 years, Dianne, and the entire family.

Show your Pride this Sunday in Silver Spring

Pride Month is celebrated again with one of the most anticipated weekends of the year for some in Montgomery County. Pride in the Plaza returns to downtown Silver Spring on Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. This is an all-day festival celebrating LGBTQ+ artists, businesses, and supportive nonprofits.

The celebration also includes several Saturday events at the newly renamed Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library and Woodside Urban Park in Silver Spring, as well as youth events leading up to the weekend. Festival tickets are free and help you plan for the weekend, so you can get an idea of what is in store. I look forward to attending and seeing this County show its pride.

As always, my appreciation for all of you,

Marc Elrich

County Executive

Meeting to Address Progress of Purple Line Construction Will Be Held Tuesday, June 28, in Silver Spring

Progress of continuing work on the Purple Line, including introduction of the new contractor, has been the focus of a series of in-person meetings being held by the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA). The final meeting of the series is scheduled for 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28, at Oak View Elementary School in Silver Spring.

Oak View Elementary is located at 400 East Wayne Ave. in Silver Spring.  

The meeting is open to the public and questions are permitted during the question-and-answer portion of the meeting.

The Purple Line will be a 16-mile light rail line that will extend from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George's County. It will provide a direct connection to the Metrorail Red, Green and Orange Lines at Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park, and New Carrollton. The Purple Line also will connect to MARC, Amtrak and local bus services. The revised planned completion date is 2026.  

MDOT MTA has been holding planning community meetings, open houses and Community Advisory Meetings to give residents updates on the Purple Line. Additional information is available on the project’s website at  purplelinemd.com/upcoming-meetings.  

At the meetings, MDOT MTA introduces the new design-build contractor, Maryland Transit Solutions (MTS). Meeting attendees also will have the opportunity to ask questions and hear updates.  

Among the issues that are discussed are ongoing construction activities and the maintenance of traffic during construction (including planned detours, if applicable.  

The Purple Line Outreach Team can be contacted at 443-451-3706 or via email at outreach@purplelinemd.com.  

Learn more about the Purple Line project here.