Montgomery County Economic Development Week Highlighted by Welcoming New Companies—Including One Led by Brothers Who Are Blair High Alumni

For the past 10 months, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has been visiting with business leaders and business owners to find out what they need to succeed in Montgomery County. The majority of businesses in Montgomery County are small. Among his messages has been: Government cannot make any business succeed—but it sure can help them to that goal by providing the support our businesses need.

Montgomery County, in partnership with the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA), recently joined in the celebration of Economic Development Week in Maryland. County Executive Elrich used the opportunity to continue visiting businesses of all types and sizes—something he done since his first week in office.

During Economic Development Week, he joined local business leaders to welcome Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz and to discuss ways in which the State could help drive additional economic development in the community. Among the businesses he visited was the soon-to-be new operations of RADA Technologies, a radar systems manufacturer, in Germantown.

Another milestone in Economic Development Week was officially welcoming Truebill, Inc., a leading financial technology company, to Downtown Silver Spring. It relocated from the San Francisco Bay area. Truebill CEO Haroon Mokhtarzada is a serial tech entrepreneur and investor originally from Montgomery County — an alumnus of Montgomery Blair High School. He co-founded the company along with his brothers, Zeki, Idris and Yahya. Mokhtarzada.

The County provided $4.7 million in Fiscal Year 2019 for local business growth and expansion.

Last week, the County announced the expansion to the East County of the Business Connect program that brings needed advisory services to business owners, rather than having the previous limited access that was only available from an office in Rockville. The small business hubs were previously opened in Germantown and Silver Spring.

For more information on doing business in Montgomery County, visit the Montgomery County Business Portal.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich was among those formally welcoming Truebill, Inc., to Silver Spring. The leading financial technology company has relocated its corporate headquarters from the San Francisco Bay area.

County Will Continue Its ‘Triple-A’ Bond Rating

Montgomery County received great news last week when it learned that it will maintain its “Triple-A” bond rating from the three major Wall Street bond rating agencies. The County continued its status as a top-rated issuer of municipal securities, with the highest credit rating possible for a local government.

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings all affirmed the Triple-A rating—the highest achievable—for the County.

Montgomery County has earned Triple-A ratings from Moody's Investors Service, Inc. every year since April 1973 (47 consecutive years); from Standard & Poor’s every year since 1976 (44 consecutive years) and from Fitch every year since 1991 (29 consecutive years).

The rating is very important. By having the highest rating for its bonds, the County can move ahead in building future projects that this County demands.

The analysis from Standard & Poor’s stated, “We view the county's management as very strong, with strong financial policies and practices under our FMA methodology, indicating financial practices are strong, well embedded and likely sustainable.”

More information about the recent affirmation of our bond rating is available here.

County Executive Elrich Leads Officials in Urging State to Return CCT to Maryland’s Long-term Transportation Plan

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on Oct. 28 led a group of County Councilmembers, Federal, State and municipal officials, as well as Montgomery business leaders, to express their disappointment and concern with the Maryland Department of Transportation’s decision to eliminate the Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT) from the draft of the State 2020-25 Consolidated Transportation Program.

By deleting the public transportation project from its long-term plan, the State removes itself from the planning and funding of the project that would provide needed public transportation to support the Great Seneca Science Corridor in the Great Seneca Highway/Darnestown Road area. The CCT also would support the Universities of Shady Grove and would help the Montgomery’s UpCounty area that is overwhelmed with I-270 traffic.

County Executive Elrich and the other officials who spoke emphasized that the CCT was conceived to be an integral part of the growth and development of the area. It would provide transit to make the planned bio-tech area more accessible and encourage people and businesses to locate there.

Among those attending the event were County Council Vice President Sidney Katz; Councilmembers Evan Glass and Craig Rice; representatives for U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Congressmen Jamie Raskin and David Trone, Maryland Senator Nancy King and Councilmember Gabe Albornoz; Maryland State Delegates David Fraser-Hidalgo (District 15), Lily Qi (District 15) and Kirill Reznik (District 39); Town of Washington Grove Mayor John G. Compton; City of Rockville Mayor Bridget Newton; and Town of Poolesville Commissioner Jerry Klobukowski. Community and business leaders attending included Maryland Balcombe, executive director of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce, and representatives of the Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board, the Germantown Alliance, and Montgomery Village.

Learn more about the effort to restore the CCT to the State’s long-term transportation plan.

Seniors Advocate Who Became Community Icon Austin Heyman Honored for Lifetime of Service

Montgomery County resident Austin Heyman, whose leadership contributions on behalf of County residents span several decades, was recently presented with the AARP Maryland J. Joseph Curran Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received separate proclamations from County Executive Marc Elrich and the County Council to celebrate his long record of accomplishments, which include his strong advocacy on senior issues.

AARP Maryland’s award is named for the esteemed statesman J. Joseph Curran Jr., former state representative, lieutenant governor and longtime attorney general. It recognizes exceptional individuals who have exhibited a lifetime of exemplary commitment to volunteerism and civic involvement. Austin Heyman is only the second person to receive this honor from AARP Maryland.

The proclamation, presented on behalf of County Executive Marc Elrich, recognizes Mr. Heyman’s extraordinary accomplishments on behalf of the broader community.

“Montgomery County owes a debt of gratitude for all he has done,” said County Executive Elrich. “He has been a volunteer in our County since the 1970s and has worked with people of all ages to better their lives through advocacy. He and his wife Barbara devoted themselves to every aspect of community involvement from children and educational issues, to intergenerational and cultural understanding, to advocacy for older adults and the disabled. Austin is a community icon, a visionary and an inspiration to residents of all ages in Montgomery County.”

County Council President Nancy Navarro and Councilmember Gabe Albornoz recognized and celebrated Mr. Heyman as a visionary and integral leader of the community who has demonstrated a life of service, creativity, integrity and purpose.
Learn more about Mr. Heyman’s accomplishments and the honors he recently received.

County Executive Elrich to Hold Three More Budget Forums

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will hold the third of five budget forums at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30, to seek input from residents about the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) Operating Budget priorities. The forum will be held at the Silver Spring Civic Building at One Veterans Place in Silver Spring.

Previous budget forums were held in Wheaton and Chevy Chase.

The schedule for the remaining budget forums:

• Wednesday, Oct 30. 7 - 8:30 p.m. Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring.
• Thursday, Nov 7. 7 - 8:30 p.m. BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown.
• Wednesday, Nov 13. 7 - 8:30 p.m. Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring.

The budget forum briefing presentation can be viewed here.

Free Flu Shots Available from Montgomery County

Montgomery County health officials have announced that the annual flu vaccination campaign will provide free flu shots for healthy, school aged children (ages 3 to 18) from 1:30-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov.12, at three locations. Students from any school may attend, but appointments must be made in advance.

Residents six months and older can receive a free flu shot from 4:30 - 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, at the Universities at Shady Grove / Building II at 9630 Gudelsky Drive in Rockville. Appointments are necessary in advance. Visitors will pay a parking fee and can park in the Traville Gateway Garage or Shady Grove Garage.

Shots for students will be offered at Kennedy High School (1901 Randolph Road in Silver Spring); Northwest High School (13501 Richter Farm Road in Germantown) and Rockville High School (2100 Baltimore Road in Rockville).

Appointments for either setting can be scheduled on the County’s website at montgomerycountymd.gov/flu. Appointments can also be made by calling 311.

Public Can Access Free County Services to Prevent and Address Domestic Violence

Highlighting that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Councilmember Sidney Katz and other County leaders are urging the public to access County services to prevent and address domestic violence.

“Montgomery County offers free services to help people who are experiencing domestic violence,” said County Executive Elrich. “I urge anyone experiencing these issues to call our Family Justice Center or our Abused Persons Program – both offer free, confidential support to help promote safety, well-being and healing. Please spread the word.”

In an event to promote the services offered by the County, Elrich and Katz were joined at the Executive Office Building in Rockville by Acting Police Chief Marcus Jones, Sheriff Darren M. Popkin, State's Attorney John McCarthy, Assistant State’s Attorney Debbie Feinstein, Nicole Drew, president of the Commission for Women, and representatives of the Family Justice Center, the Abused Persons Program and members of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council.

Montgomery County residents who would like to talk with someone and learn their options can call the Family Justice Center at 240-773-0444 or the Abused Persons Program at 240-777-4673. Both programs offer residents free, coordinated services and support. However, in case of emergency, people should not hesitate to dial 911.

More information on County services that can help is available at the press release.

Arts and Humanities Council and DEP Team Up to Offer Grants for Art Relating to the Environment

The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC), in collaboration with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), is seeking Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) for three art projects relating to the future of the environment. The deadline to submit proposals for each program is Friday, Nov. 8.

AHCMC and DEP are calling on artists and community organizations to help facilitate the collective reflection about the state of the environment, particularly as it relates to climate change, waste reduction, and water quality.

They are sponsoring three grants for artists to develop temporary artworks that engage the community around the issue of climate change.

To be eligible for consideration, artists must live and/or work in Montgomery County. Artists will also be required to apply for the grant in collaboration with a non-profit organization or public entity, in order to demonstrate community support and volunteer capacity.

Details on the RFQ is available at creativemoco.com.

Opioid Crisis Efforts Include Expanded Naloxone Training and Streamlined Treatment Options

County Executive Marc Elrich and the County’s Opioid Intervention Team (OIT) recently updated the progress the County has made in addressing the opioid crisis in Montgomery County. A key component of the local effort has been focused on making Naloxone, which can help those who have overdosed, readily available in the community.

Latest data shows that there have been 49 overdose deaths to-date this year and 320 non-fatal overdoses since January. In September, there were seven overdose deaths and 38 lives saved through the use of Naloxone.

Members of the OIT who joined for the update included co-chairs Raymond Crowel, who is the director of the Department of Health and Human Services, and Earl Stoddard, who is director of the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director. Also supporting the effort were Fire Chief Scott Goldstein, Acting Police Chief Marcus Jones, State’s Attorney John J. McCarthy and County Sheriff Darren Popkin.

“Montgomery County, along with every county in Maryland, has too many overdose deaths and individuals who are addicted,” said Elrich. “We need to tackle the problem from many angles and the OIT has directed resources towards prevention, education, and treatment. No family should experience the overdose death of a loved one.”

During Fiscal Year 2019 (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019), more than 1,500 residents attended free Naloxone training and nearly 2,500 free Naloxone kits, which include two doses, were distributed through classes and community events.

More information at the programs the County offers in the battle against opioid abuse is available on press release or montgomerycountymd.gov/opioids.

Record 176 Bicycles Donated at Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Annual Collection

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) realized several years ago that, as the County continued to expand its bicycle path network, more people would likely want to take advantage of the increased opportunities. It also realized that not all of those who wanted to ride bikes could afford them.

Three years ago, to celebrate Community Service Month celebration, MCDOT set aside a day to collect bicycles from people who were no longer using them or who did not want to make minor repairs to them. The first year of the event led to 100 bicycles being donated. Last year, 120 bicycles were donated. At the third annual event, held on Oct. 18, a record number of 176 adult and children’s bikes were donated in Rockville to benefit people in need.

In addition to the bikes, the drive collected various bike parts, including bike frames, wheels and tires.

The donated bikes and parts will go to the Rockville Bike Hub, a nonprofit organization whose volunteers refurbish the bikes and then give them to low-income residents in the County. The bicycles are distributed through Rockville’s Terrific Kids program and via other charitable organizations that distribute bikes during the holidays.

Learn more about the collection event here.