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As we make our way through the Council’s budget process, my colleagues and I are committed to making Montgomery County as economically competitive as possible. This past month, we have taken numerous steps to boost our county as a leading economy in the region.
JOBS Initiative and MOVE Grant Program
I am excited to co-sponsor two critical pieces of legislation to boost Montgomery County's economy. The 2023 Maryland State of the Economy report shows Montgomery County’s per capita income growth is among the slowest of its 30 peer counties, ranking 28th. The County also had the lowest number of new business applications of any county in Maryland between 2019 and 2022. The J.O.B.S. Initiative is a $20 million investment to create high-paying jobs by making a $10 million Job Creation Fund, a $7 million Innovation Fund, and a $3 million Founders Equity Fund. We will receive quarterly reports to monitor how the fund reaches its intended goals. Additionally, the Make Office Vacancy Extinct (M.O.V.E.) grant program will help attract new businesses to the County.
It is time to address Montgomery County's slow per capita income growth and low number of new business applications directly. These two initiatives will unlock the County's economic potential.
Speaking at the press conference for the MOVE Grant Program at Tower Oaks Boulevard in Rockville
Montgomery College East County Ribbon Cutting
Congratulations to Montgomery College on the ribbon cutting of its East County Education Center! The center is a 55,000-square-foot building that will bring the College’s unique services and academic programs to the residents of East County. It consists of 11 classrooms, 10 labs (six allied health labs, three computer labs, and one career training education lab), a Raptor Center (a one-stop shop for admissions, enrollment, and visitor services), Community Engagement Center, Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Center, Learning Center, library, event spaces, Worksource Montgomery, a Student Wellness Center, and study rooms and lounges. I’m excited to see this initiative come to life so more of our students can benefit from its immense offerings.
I look forward to seeing all the pathways to jobs and career success that the East County Education Center will bring.
Cutting the ribbon for the opening of the East County Education Center with elected officials and community leaders
Investments in Biotech and Manufacturing
As the anchor of the third-largest biotech hub in the U.S., Montgomery County is one of the leading innovative counties in the country. On the Economic Development Committee, we recommended $6.3 million in funding for the UM3 Institute for Health Computing, which is responsible for exploring how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and clinical analytics can facilitate knowledge discovery for human health and well-being. We also recommended $562,436 in funding for BioHub Maryland at Montgomery County, which is a Maryland Tech Council (MTC) initiative to accelerate the state’s life sciences industry. BioHub will be a biopharma manufacturing training center that will provide hands-on competency-based training focused on core biopharma manufacturing operations and curriculum. Finally, on April 26, Hughes Network Systems opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on the Montgomery College campus, the first of its kind on a community college campus in the U.S. The facility promises over 400 high-skill jobs and showcases the power of collaboration between Hughes Network Systems, Montgomery College’s Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology, and partners with the Minkoff Development Corporation and Montgomery County Government.
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Celebrating the opening of the Hughes Manufacturing Facility with my colleague Councilmember Balcombe and State Delegate Greg Wims
S.M.A.R.T. Updates Around The County
Closing Ceremony of the Third Cohort of the S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council
I am so proud of the third cohort of our S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council, who graduated from the program at the beginning of this month. These students gained advocacy and public policy skills over several months. Their experience was capped off by an opportunity to testify on an issue they chose during our FY25 Budget Public Hearings. I am excited to see what lies ahead for these young leaders in Montgomery County! You can watch a recap of the closing ceremony here.
 Planet Fitness Grand Opening
Congratulations to Planet Fitness on opening a new location in Wheaton! I attended the ribbon-cutting along with my colleagues Councilmember Fani-Gonzalez and Councilmember Albornoz, as well as Hispanic Chamber of Commerce leaders and community leaders. To eliminate health disparities, we need to consider a range of solutions, including social determinants of health. Access to gym facilities is an important resource that will help residents stay active, fit, and healthy.
 Children’s Opportunity Alliance Breakfast
I had the privilege of joining the Montgomery County Children's Opportunity Alliance, Maryland’s Deputy Comptroller, Governor Moore’s mother, and local leaders for a breakfast panel discussion as part of Week of the Young Child. We discussed the importance of early childhood education and its role in the future vitality of Montgomery County’s economy.
 15th Anniversary of the Gaithersburg Book Festival
Congratulations to the Gaithersburg Book Festival on their 15th anniversary! Since its inception in 2010, the Festival has quickly become one of the nation’s top literary events. I thank Mayor Jud Ashman, the Festival Committee, Politics and Prose, C-SPAN, the Gaithersburg Cultural Arts Advisory Committee, Councilmember Lisa Henderson, and others for their contributions and for joining us to commemorate the occasion. The 2024 Gaithersburg Book Festival will take place on Saturday, May 18 at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg.
 Celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day
Last week, we celebrated Earth Day and Arbor Day by planting trees, launching a green business incubator for small businesses, and holding seminars on sustainable practices. We commit to protecting our environment and beautiful green space throughout Montgomery County and fully implementing our Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2027 and 100% by 2035. We will continue to work together to ensure a greener future for generations to come.
Awarding a certificate to Bethesda Green with Council President Friedson in honor of their Bethesda Green Relaunch Event
Wootton High School Press Conference
We are incredibly alarmed and concerned by the report of an 18-year-old Wootton High School student allegedly planning to commit a school shooting at a Montgomery County school. Thank you to the FBI, MCPD, MCPS, and the City of Rockville for their swift action in arresting the students and keeping our schools safe. This serious incident underscores the need for community awareness and tools to respond to an individual expressing any act of violence, along with enhanced mental health support and resources in schools to address conflict and foster safe school communities. You can watch my full remarks from the MCPD press conference here.
 Pre-Juneteenth Conference with the Scotland Community
I was grateful to join a press conference to celebrate Juneteenth with the Scotland community, which has been a pillar in the Black community for over a century. Thank you, LaTisha Gasaway and Paul Tukey for organizing the event, and to all the contributors, such as Edens, Big Train baseball, the Glenstone Museum, Minds in Motion Child Care, AARP, the Washington Commanders, and many other sponsors who supported the press conference and help make the preservation of the historic Scotland community possible. As we approach Juneteenth, I am committed to lifting the voices of historically Black communities and continuing the struggle toward Black liberation and freedom.
 Minority Health Month
This year's theme for Minority Health Month, "Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections," highlights the need to understand how the social determinants of health for racial and ethnic minority populations impact their overall health. As the Lead for Eliminating Health Disparities, I am committed to improving health outcomes in our community. Montgomery County is ranked one of the healthiest counties in Maryland and in the U.S., and we can continue to address disparities in health outcomes by increasing the capacity and number of providers in underserved communities, addressing the social determinants that contribute to health disparities, investing in School-Based Health and Wellness Centers, expanding the oversight capabilities of the Office of Racial Equity, and Social Justice, and continuing to partner with and increase funding for our minority health programs and initiatives.
Updates on the County’s FY25 Budget
The Council is analyzing this year's FY25 Operating Budget and Capital Budget & FY25-30 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) in detail. We will review all committee recommendations over the next three weeks and decide which programs on the new and improved program funding list will be approved in this year's budget. Our office has received various requests from the community, such as increasing funding for public schools, providing more mobile healthcare services, emergency rental assistance, climate initiatives, and more. As we get closer to approving this year's budget and beyond, I encourage residents to contact my office and share their priorities. We are considering numerous programs, so we must hear from you about where your tax dollars should be best spent.
Upcoming Meetings of the Health and Human Services Committee
- No committee meetings have been scheduled at this time.
Upcoming Meetings of the Economic Development Committee
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Thursday, May 2, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. FY25 Operating Budget - Technology Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS); Cable Television Communications Plan (joint with Government Operations & Fiscal Policy Committee)
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Thursday, May 2, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. FY25 Operating Budget - Conference Center NDA; Burtonsville Crossing Shopping Center Project (P362311); Department of Permitting Services Follow-up
Upcoming Events
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will deliver his “State of the County” address at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, at the Executive Office Building in Rockville.
RepresentWomen is thrilled to host a roundtable discussion with Black women elected officials, advocates, and thought leaders on the unique experiences and barriers Black women face in running for office and winning their elections, which are too often overlooked. I will be participating along with Victoria Pelletier, RepresentWomen National Partnerships Manager and Portland, ME City Councilmember; VA State Delegate Jackie Hope Glass; and Former Mayor Chasity Wells-Armstrong.
The restrictive covenants that enforced segregation in communities throughout Montgomery County in the 1900s will be the topic of a presentation by SPARKLE at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, at the Silver Spring Civic Building.
Montgomery County’s Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction Advisory Council will host its 2024 virtual spring forum from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 9. The free event will focus on different pathways to healing from mental health and substance use disorders. Sessions for adults and concurrent sessions planned by Montgomery County’s Youth Ambassador Program members will be held.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will host a free, family-friendly, student-led “Community Safety Day” event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, at the Carver Educational Services Center in Rockville. The fair will highlight driver, bike, and pedestrian safety with interactive and educational experiences, including safety demonstrations, workshops, games, and hands-on activities for all ages.
Don’t miss this year’s Special Education Family Resource Fair on Saturday, May 11, at Montgomery Blair High School. The free event will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and is open to MCPS parents, staff, and community members. It will include valuable resources from a variety of community resources and vendors and fun children’s activities, including moon bounces, music, arts and crafts, and balloon artists.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will hold a hybrid (online and in-person) public information meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, to discuss the proposed Forest Glen Passageway project in Silver Spring. The project will provide a new grade-separated connection under Georgia Avenue to improve access to the Forest Glen Metro Station from the East side of Georgia Avenue.
The Gaithersburg Book Festival, a celebration of books, writers, and literary excellence, will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg.
Community Resource Hub
- Early Voting for the 2024 Presidential Primary Election will be held May 2 - 9.
- Public Transit Available to Take Residents to Montgomery County's 14 Early Voting Centers During Presidential Primary Election
- 58 Drop Boxes for Mail-in Ballots for the May Maryland Primary are Now in Place
- Specific Communities Can Get Updates on Purple Line Through Virtual Meetings in May
- May is “Go MoCo Month” - Featuring Special Deals and Events at Local Shops, Restaurants, Hotels, and Attractions
- Montgomery County Commission on Aging to Host Annual Forum in Rockville on Thursday, May 16, with Theme of ‘Reimagining Housing for Older Adults’
- Montgomery County Council Seeks Applicants for the Public Election Fund Committee, Board of Investment Trustees for the Montgomery County Employee Retirement Plans, and the Board of Trustees for the Consolidated Retiree Health Benefits Trust
- Students Invited to Free Out-of-School Time Co-Ed Football Clinic on Tuesday, May 14
- Montgomery County’s ‘Pride in the Plaza’ Organizers Searching for Artists to Design Festival T-Shirt - Submissions Due Wednesday, May 15
- Montgomery County to Host Virtual Forum on ‘Journey to Recovery: Exploring Pathways to Healing from Mental Health and Substance Use’ on Thursday, May 9
- Montgomery County Commission for Women Offering Free Five-Part Career Series - Second Class will be held Monday, May 6
- Montgomery County Residents Offered Opportunity to Go Solar for a Reduced Cost with Capital Area Solar Switch - Register by Wednesday, May 8
- Montgomery County Green Business Certification Application
- See the Educational Programs Offered at Montgomery College’s recently opened East County Education Center
- County Executive Marc Elrich is Seeking Applicants for Housing Opportunities Commission
- Montgomery County Department of Recreation is Hiring for Summer Part-Time Work
- Adult Bike and E-Scooter Classes Offered in May and June
Yours in Service,
Laurie-Anne Sayles
Councilmember At-Large
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