County Launches Maryland’s First ‘EV Purchasing Co-op Dealership Incentive Program’ to Share Information and Reduce Cost of Buying Electric Vehicles

The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be helping residents find discounts on electric vehicles (EVs) with the launch of its new “EV Purchasing Co-op Dealership Incentives” web page. The program is the first in Maryland where a local jurisdiction is partnering directly with local automobile dealerships to provide incentives and discounts for EV purchases.

The program will amplify limited-time promotions and discounts on battery-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The initiative is the cornerstone of the next phase of the County’s EV Purchasing Co-op and will make the benefits of EVs more accessible by helping residents reduce the cost of going electric.

Under the program, County-based dealers each month are invited to share the EV incentives they are currently offering. Deals will vary in value, will be available for a limited time and may not be available every month. DEP will list deals that offer specific cost savings for plug-in electric vehicles, EV charging or other EV services. Once they find an incentive deal on the DEP website, potential vehicle buyers can contact the dealerships directly to take advantage of the offers.

The program is already underway. The first incentive available is relayed from Ourisman Chevrolet in Rockville, offering “No haggle manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) on new Chevrolet Bolt EV and Chevrolet Bolt EUV models.” The offer allows buyers to avoid additional dealership markups, which could save thousands of dollars.

EV adoption is a key part of Montgomery County’s Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. Residents and businesses that transition to electric vehicles can save thousands of dollars on fuel and maintenance costs in the first five years of EV ownership and reduce tailpipe pollution to zero.

“I am proud that our County is taking the lead and is the first County in the State to partner with automotive dealers to incentivize elective vehicle adoption,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “The number of community members that have pledged to go electric as part of the EV Purchasing Co-op shows that there is significant demand for electric vehicles in Montgomery County. Now, with the introduction of EV Purchasing Co-op Dealership Incentives, we are delivering on our commitment to make electric vehicle ownership more accessible.” 

To support dealerships as part of the initiative, the County will provide educational materials on EVs for dealership sales staff and prospective customers. The County also offers training to sales staff about the climate-related benefits of EVs and local incentives available to residents and businesses.

Dealerships participating in the Electrified Dealers Program will be identified on the County’s website to help consumers find dealers that are at the forefront of selling electric vehicles.

In addition to the dealership incentives, the EV Purchasing Co-op supports residents and businesses who are considering purchase of electric vehicles with:

• Education about EVs and EV charging.
• Information about incentives from the government, utilities and local businesses.
• Events to experience EVs firsthand.

Subscribe to DEP’s monthly EV Purchasing Co-op newsletter to hear about new discounts and incentives when they’re announced.

Residents and businesses can join the EV Purchasing Co-op and pledge to make their next vehicle electric. Since launching the first phase of the Co-op in January 2022, more than 1,000 residents and businesses have made the pledge.

With COVID Cases Rising Again, County Recommends Precautionary Measures to Protect Against Greater Community Spread of Virus

With the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in the National Capitol Region, Montgomery County officials are offering precautionary recommendations to prevent further community spread of the virus. The County’s COVID-19 case rate has risen steadily over the last month and is now more than double the recent rate low on Nov. 28.   

The increase in transmission has occurred both in the County and in other jurisdictions around the region. Combined with influenza cases and other significant respiratory disease, emergency department visits and hospitalization rates have increased as well.

“Our current surge in cases is coming right before the holidays and with increased travel and gatherings, there is concern that transmission may increase and strain the health care system,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I encourage all residents to take extra precautions and to make sure they are up to date on vaccinations, including getting a flu vaccine. We want people to enjoy being with family and friends, but we want to do it safely.”

Although the County is currently an area of low-level community transmission as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the case rate is quickly approaching medium-level community transmission.

Based on the advice of Montgomery County Health Officer Kisha Davis, it is strongly recommended that people voluntarily engage in the following precautionary measures to slow transmission, protect most vulnerable populations and keep hospitalizations down:

• Use a well-fitting face covering during visits to congregate places and indoor spaces with limited social distancing.
• Use testing and test-to-treat antiviral medication after returning from travel or gatherings.
• Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster-shots.

The County continues to offer free at-home rapid test kits and N-95 masks at libraries.

Visit the County’s COVID-19 data dashboard to review the latest metrics and key indicators. Find additional information on masks and transmission levels on the COVID-19 website.

Information on free vaccination clinics is available at www.GoVAXMoCo.com.

Anyone who feels sick or thinks they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should get tested. Information on free testing clinics can be found at www.MoCoCOVIDtesting.org.

For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit the County’s COVID-19 website.

Montgomery Parks to Modify ‘Open Parkways Schedule’ on Beach Drive on Fridays Starting Dec. 16

 Montgomery Parks is modifying its “open parkways schedule” to reopen portions of Beach Drive to vehicles on Fridays. Beach Drive will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists (closed to vehicles) on Saturdays and Sundays. The change will go into effect on Friday, Dec. 16. The modification is being made in response to an analysis of traffic data showing a substantial increase in vehicle traffic on neighborhood streets on Fridays.

“Throughout our Open Parkways Program, we have continued to measure usage data and traffic impacts and make adjustments to ensure the continued success of the program,” said Mike Riley, director of Montgomery Parks. “ In response to community feedback about an increase in neighborhood vehicle traffic, our engineers examined traffic data and concluded that reopening the parkway to vehicles on Fridays would alleviate traffic resulting from the closure and improve neighborhood safety. We opted to make this adjustment while continuing the benefits of the Beach Drive Open Parkway on Saturdays and Sundays, when it is most heavily used.”

Beach Drive is one of three parkways in Montgomery Parks' Open Parkways program, which was launched at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide more outdoor space for recreation and exercise by closing portions of the parkways to vehicles on weekends. Since its inception, more than 1,500,000 visitors have used the Open Parkways and the program remains popular.

The Sligo Creek Parkway Open Parkway will not be affected by this modification on Beach Drive. Little Falls Parkway currently has two lanes of 24/7 Open Parkways from Arlington Road to Dorset Avenue.

The open parkways include:

• Beach Drive between Connecticut and Knowles Avenue (2.9 miles).
• Sligo Creek Parkway between Old Carroll Avenue and Piney Branch Road (1.1 miles) and between Forest Glen Road and University Boulevard West (1.5 miles).
• Little Falls Parkway between Arlington Road and Dorset Avenue (0.4 miles) (two lanes of 24/7 Open Parkway).

For more information about the open parkways program, visit https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-trails/roads-and-parkways/.

Everyone Urged to be ‘Salt Wise’ and Use Less Salt During Winter Storms to Reduce Impact on Environment and Drinking Water

The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and WSSC Water are urging homeowners to be “Salt Wise” and use less salt on sidewalks and driveways during winter storms.

Salt runs off into storm drains, local streams, and eventually, to the Potomac and Patuxent rivers which are drinking water sources for 1.9 million residents in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Salt can corrode concrete and masonry, harm pets, damage surrounding plants and lawns, and adversely impact the water supply.

“Using salt to melt ice from sidewalks and driveways has been a winter staple for generations; however, the harmful impacts from over-salting need to be recognized and addressed,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We want homeowners to know that that salt goes directly into our drinking water and cannot be removed. Small amounts of salt do the job and better protect the environment. We are also asking that residents sweep up any excessive piles of salt and reuse it. Allowing excess salt to flow into our water puts our environment and our health at risk.”

Salt levels have been steadily increasing in local streams, posing a risk to sensitive wildlife and stream health. Once salt gets into waterways, it does not go away.

“Salt levels have skyrocketed in our drinking water sources, the Potomac River and Patuxent River reservoirs, over the past three decades,” said WSSC Water’s Production Director JC Langley. “While our water is absolutely safe to drink, increased salt levels can be a health concern for people on sodium-restrictive diets. We ask residents to protect their drinking-water supplies by being salt wise.”

The Salt Wise campaign is a three-step method for residents to keep sidewalks and driveways safe, while also reducing harm to the environment.

Tips residents can follow include:

• Shovel ice and snow early and often.
• Use one 12-ounce cup of salt for 10 sidewalk squares or for a 20-foot driveway.
• After storm events, sweep up excess salt for reuse.

“As the County takes important steps to be Salt Wise, we encourage residents to also heed this guidance as we all work together to protect our environment,” said Acting DEP Director Adriana Hochberg. “We all need to remember that salt can harm our streams, creeks and our drinking water. We have the tools and the know-how to protect our roads, sidewalks and driveways while also keeping our water supply safe.” 

MCDOT manages the County’s snowstorm response and has implemented steps to reduce salt overuse.

“We apply the minimum amount of salt necessary to endure public safety during snowstorms,” said MCDOT Chief of Highway Services Richard Dorsey. “We have implemented plow bumpers on all our plows, allowing for early plowing. We also use salt brine, a 23 percent solution of salt vs. water before the snow starts to reduce the need for salt use.”

Residents can also take action if they see large piles of salt accidentally spilled onto roadways. MCDOT is reminding residents to call 311 for salt pile cleanup.

“If residents see excessive salt use, they are asked to report it through 311 so that the responsible entity can be asked to clean it up,” said Mr. Dorsey.

Multiple agencies are responsible for clearing snow. The Maryland Department of Transportation clears and salt State roads, typically identified by any roadway with a number such as Connecticut Avenue (Route 185), Georgia Avenue (Route 97) and River Road (Route 190). The County’s Department of General Services manages County facilities such as libraries and Montgomery County Public Schools contracts for school grounds and parking lots. MCDOT clears County roads, typically beginning with arterial roadways and then neighborhood roads.

MC 311 is prepared to determine what entity is responsible and route calls for cleanup in response to inquiries it receives.

The County hosts a Winter Storm Informational Portal for residents. The webpage assists in determining if MCDOT is responsible for treating a street. The website provides updates on the County’s snow removal status and allows for service request submittals.

“We work closely with DEP to monitor salt use. We train our plow drivers and measure what they use, we monitor conditions only laying salt as a last resort when conditions require it for public safety,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “MCDOT is heavily involved in the County’s Climate Action Plan, and we consistently work to improve our environment in everything we do. We ask that residents and our partner agencies do the same. It will take all of us making environmentally friendly choices collectively to have the impact we need to see.”

For more information on how to effectively address salt use on residential and commercial properties, go to MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/salt.

Applications Now Being Accepted for ‘Small Business Accelerator Program’ in Partnership with M&T Bank

 

The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights and M&T Bank are partnering for the second year to offer a free 10-week “Small Business Accelerator Program” to assist small businesses—both emerging ones and those trying to rebuild from the impacts the COVID health crisis. The program will teach early-stage and minority entrepreneurs the essentials of business planning, operations, credit building, digital communication and financial management. It also could provide access to capital.

Applications are now being accepted to join the program, which will run from Jan. 10 through March 14. There is no limit on the number of programs that can participate, but the deadline to apply is Friday, Dec. 23.

The first year of the program was an overwhelming success. More than 200 businesses pursued the opportunity to learn how to build their businesses.

To register for the program, go to Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

Over the 10-week period, sessions will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Sessions will be virtual, but in-person networking also will be part of the program.

“Only about half of new businesses survive past five years and about eight out of 10 Black-owned businesses fail within their first 18 months,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “In order to address these inequities and assist in building minority ownership and wealth throughout the County, we must do better. We are thankful to M&T Bank for this partnership with our Office of Human Rights. This program will help entrepreneurs, especially those who are traditionally underserved, reach new heights and access important resources. I encourage small business owners to apply for this exciting opportunity.”

To be eligible for the Small Business Accelerator Program, businesses must be:

• Based in Montgomery County
• In business for at least two years
• Generating revenue
• In good standing with the County and State licensing departments

Businesses that do not meet eligibility requirements, can apply. However, they must include a compelling reason why they should be considered.

“M&T Bank is passionate about helping small-business owners in Montgomery County grow and sustain their businesses so that our communities thrive,” said AJ Nwoga, vice president and senior branch manager of M&T Bank’s Germantown branch. “This curriculum was intentionally developed to give the County’s entrepreneurs the tools and skills they need to overcome obstacles to success.”

Top business mentors, coaches and subject matter experts will lead the intensive 10-week bootcamp at no cost to participants.

Program highlights will include:

• Doing business in Montgomery County
• Banking fundamentals
• Business plans
• Strategic plans
• Financial statements
• Capital sources
• Marketing
• Business legal issues
• Pitching your business
• Pitch contest
• One-to-one coaching
• Networking

More information about the program is available by contacting Mr. Nwoga at 202-868-1443 or anwoga@mtb.com or Daniel Koroma at daniel.koroma@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Free Flu and COVID Booster Shots to be Provided for Anyone 5 and Older During ‘Boosterama’ on Saturday, Dec. 17, at Westfield Wheaton

As the holiday season coincides with a rise in respiratory virus cases, Montgomery County, in partnership with Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar and Westfield Wheaton, will provide free COVID bivalent boosters and flu shots during the second holiday “Boosterama” vaccine event. COVID booster shots will be available to anyone age 5 and older who had their last dose at least two months ago.  The event will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at Westfield Wheaton mall.

Boosterama will be held outside of Carter’s on the second floor of Westfield Wheaton. No appointment is needed. Pediatric booster shots will not be available at the event. Individuals who receive their COVID booster or a flu shot at the event will be eligible to win one of eight gift cards that can be used throughout Westfield Wheaton’s wide variety of retailers.

Respiratory illnesses such as RSV, flu and COVID are currently on the rise. While there is no vaccination for RSV, there are vaccinations available for flu and COVID. Boosterama events are part of a broader effort by the County to encourage residents to use common sense health measures, including staying up to date on vaccinations.

“The holiday season can be stressful for a variety of reasons,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “This year, give yourself the gift of health. Boosterama is a convenient way you can receive the COVID booster and flu shot, saving you time and keeping you and your family safe. It is easy and helps to ensure your holidays remain free of respiratory viruses.”

To date, nearly 37 percent of County residents aged 50 and older have received the bivalent booster shot and nearly 21 percent of all residents have received the bivalent booster shot.  If it has been at least two months since completing your primary series of COVID shots, you are eligible for a bivalent booster.

“The health and safety of our guests and staff is priority No. 1,” said Stuart Amos, senior general manager of Westfield Wheaton. “Boosterama is a free and convenient way to keep ourselves and community safe from the spread of respiratory viruses this holiday season. We are grateful for our partnership with Montgomery County in hosting this event.”   

In addition to Boosterama, flu or COVID booster shots are widely available at locations throughout the community. Make an appointment or find other locations at GoVaxMoco.com.

The County continues to provide free N-95 masks and rapid COVID test kits at multiple locations. The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services also offers tips to keep you and your family ‘COVID-Prepared’ this holiday season.

For more information about Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar, visit its website.

Alcohol Beverage Services Begins Construction in Gaithersburg on Third ‘Oak Barrel & Vine’ Store

Montgomery County’s Department of Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) has started construction on a new Gaithersburg retail store, which will be the third in its enhanced “Oak Barrel & Vine” retail line. The store is located in the Gaithersburg Square shopping center at 512 N. Frederick Ave. The full-service store is expected to open in spring 2023.

The Oak Barrel & Vine branded stores feature handpicked items with a focus on spirits and locally manufactured products. The Gaithersburg store will have a large tasting room and event space, an improved selection of small format items, queue lines for faster checkout, improved wayfinding signs and better customer accessibility. The new location fills a gap caused by the 2018 closure of the ABS Milestone store. It also increases service levels to the growing population in the Gaithersburg area.

“The Gaithersburg Oak Barrel & Vine store will provide customers with the tasting and event space they have been requesting,” said ABS Director Kathie Durbin. “The Oak Barrel & Vine brand is designed to reflect our community by showcasing local products and providing dynamic service in a safe and inviting environment. The large tasting room will allow customers to engage more fully, turning shopping into an experience.”

The first Oak Barrel & Vine store, located in the Cabin John Village shopping center, opened in 2021 and has become a customer favorite. The future second Oak Barrel & Vine store, located in the Montrose Crossing shopping center, is expected to open in January 2023. ABS intends to upgrade its remaining retail stores to the Oak Barrel & Vine brand over the next several years.

ABS is the alcohol wholesaler of beer, wine, and spirits for Montgomery County and operates 26 retail stores throughout the County. In addition, ABS manages alcohol licensing, enforcement and education for more than 1,000 businesses. Generating more than $35 million in net income annually, its profits are used to pay down County debt with a large portion deposited in the general fund to pay for resident services that would otherwise be funded by County tax dollars. Follow ABS on Facebook and Twitter.

Montgomery County Recreation Will Celebrate Holiday Season with Festivals, Movies Events and Special Events

Montgomery County Recreation is hosting holiday-themed, family-friendly events for everyone to enjoy this winter. From cocoa and crafts to photos with Santa, December events will be hosted at community recreation centers, senior centers and aquatic facilities across the County.

Registration for events can be completed online at ActiveMONTGOMERY.org. Registration for winter programs and activities is also underway.

Upcoming special events hosted by Montgomery County Recreation will include:

Friday, Dec. 16:

• 6-9 p.m. Santa’s Workshop in Burtonsville. Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center. Enjoy cookie decorating, a hot chocolate bar, delicious s'mores and more. The evening will include the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Saturday, Dec. 17:

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Photo Op & Cocoa with Mr. & Mrs. Claus. Gwendolyn E. Coffield Community Recreation Center, 2450 Lyttonsville Rd., Silver Spring. Participants will use their own cell phones so that they will have immediate access to their pictures at no cost. Registration is required.
• 6-9 p.m. Deck the Halls with Spaghetti and Meatballs. Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center, 14715 Good Hope Rd., Silver Spring. Enjoy a free family dinner, arts and crafts, hot cocoa bar and ice skating. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Live entertainment provided by Strathmore.

Wednesday, Dec. 21:

• 2-3 p.m. Jingle and Mingle with DJ Chrome. North Potomac Senior Center, 13850 Travilah Rd., Rockville. Highlights will include music, refreshments, dancing and lots of fun. For residents 55 and older.

Saturday, Dec. 31:

• 6:30-9:30 p.m. Therapeutic Recreation’s New Year’s Eve Party. Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Dr., Silver Spring. For individuals ages 15 and up with disabilities. Celebrate the end of 2022 and ring in the new year. Dress in your best party attire. New Year's party favors will be available. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Electric Vehicles, County Incentives and Charging Stations—Next ‘What’s Happening MoCo’ Podcast Shares Information for Current and Future EV Owners

Current and potential future owners of electric vehicles generally have many questions as the mobile technology evolves. In the latest episode of the What’s Happening MoCo podcast, host Derrick Kenny learns about electric cars, benefits to owners and an incentive program that will involve Montgomery County to make electric vehicle ownership easier.

The new episode is now available. The podcast is available via popular podcast platforms including Apple podcasts at https://bit.ly/whats-happening-moco, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Google podcasts and others https://whatshappeningmoco.buzzsprout.com/share.

The episode’s guests include Brian Booher, senior planning specialist—zero emissions vehicles for the County Department of Environmental Protection.

“Over the last year, 12 percent all the newly registered vehicles [in the County] are electric, and we are expecting that number to increase over the next few years,” said Mr. Booher.

Mr. Booher said that, when it comes to operating an electric vehicle, most things are the same except for “refueling.” Electric cars do not refuel—they charge.

Atiq Panjshiri, the right-of-way plan review manager, and Linda Kobylski, the land development division chief, of the County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) also are part of the podcast. They talk about EV charging options and raise awareness of a program that makes it easier for residents to charge at home.

The DPS program on EV charging stations allows residents that do not have the space on their property to install a charging station to create a station in the public right-of-way in some circumstances. For more info about the program, listen to the episode or visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DPS/Process/rci/residential-EV-charging.html.

The on-demand video of this episode can be viewed via the What’s Happening MoCo Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WhatsHappeningMoCoPodcast.

In past episodes, What’s Happening MoCo has featured guests on a wide variety of subjects. The guests have included elected officials, Montgomery employees who specialize in specific aspects of government, business leaders and entertainers who live in the County. New podcasts are released twice a month. The What’s Happening MoCo podcast is a product of the County’s Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions.

Residents interested in asking a question or suggesting a topic to be addressed in a future episode are encouraged to engage via the Facebook page or via e-mail at derrick.kenny@montgomerycountymd.gov.

What’s Happening MoCo podcast episode archives can be accessed by visiting the podcast’s webpage at https://montgomerycountymd.gov/CCM/whats-happening-moco-podcast.html.

Alex & Olmsted Puppetry Presents ‘Milo the Magnificent’ at Gaithersburg Arts Barn on Saturday, Dec. 17

The Gaithersburg Arts Barn and Alex & Olmsted Puppetry will present Milo the Magnificent at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, at The Arts Barn. The performance is suitable for all ages.

The Gaithersburg Arts Barn is located at 311 Kent Square Rd. in Gaithersburg. General admission is $10. Admission is $3 for youth ages 10 and under. Purchase tickets here.

Milo the Magnificent is a highly engaging puppet show about an aspiring magician. The wordless comedy, inspired by turn of the century vaudeville entertainers, is as highly physical as it is charming. Using stunningly innovative puppetry, Milo presents a variety of magic tricks that do not always go as planned.

Milo the Magnificent was awarded the 2017 Jim Henson Foundation Grant and the 2017 Greenbelt Community Foundation Grant.

Laurel Graeber wrote the following review of the performance in The New York Times in 2018:

"Milo is a bit of a cardboard character, but you can’t blame him for that. He’s a puppet: specifically, a huge cutout fellow, whose arms, hands and feet belong to one of his creators, and whose changing facial expressions are recorded on flippable circular cards. The duo Alex & Olmsted — Alex Vernon and Sarah Olmsted Thomas — invented his world, which includes other puppets made of cleverly repurposed materials. Milo, appearing here as part of the ‘Just Kidding’ series, aspires to be an illusionist, and while his tricks and experiments rarely work out as planned, children will still find them magical."