 County Executive Marc Elrich discusses cuts to health agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and outlines the benefits of medical research. He highlights Mobilize Montgomery, a new centralized hub for businesses, employees and residents, which takes a more detailed look at webinars, job posting websites and resources for those affected by federal budget decisions. He also provides an update on his recent trip to the Smart City Summit and Expo in Taipei. Finally, he provides an update on the Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget and shares frequently asked questions about the budget.
Stories in this issue include:
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will hold the first two of six Community Conversations to discuss long-term priorities and how he will address the Fiscal Year 2027 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget. All meetings are open to the public and encourage community participation. The first event will be from 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, March 31 at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center, located at 11701 Georgia Ave. in Wheaton. On Thursday, April 3 from 7-8:30 p.m., the conversation will take place at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Service Center, located at 4805 Edgemoor Lane in Bethesda.
Montgomery County officials and key partners this week launched Mobilize Montgomery, a strategic collaboration aimed at supporting workers and businesses affected by the recent federal budget cuts by providing resources, amplifying outreach efforts from the Montgomery County Government, creating toolkits to support affected businesses and developing new programs such as weekly webinars and new events geared toward employees and employers.
The Montgomery County Office of Procurement will host a “Montgomery County is Open for Business” event from 9 a.m.- noon on Monday, March 31 at the Silver Spring Civic Building, located at 1 Veterans Place in Silver Spring. The event aims to help Federal contractors explore new opportunities by engaging with local government. As Federal contractors in the County adapt to changing market conditions, the event will provide a platform for businesses to connect, collaborate and discover new opportunities for stability and growth.
 Older adults 65+ can learn how to use public transportation at free Travel Training workshops scheduled in April. The workshops, which include a field trip and seminar, offer older adult residents a chance to get to know the County and public transportation options. The seminar includes rides on a Metro train and Ride On bus, and attendees receive hands-on practice loading a fare card and creating an itinerary.
 A Sunday Serenade and Shine Brighter Together, an event to recognize Autism Awareness Month are among the special events that Montgomery Parks will host to make spring special.
 High school students across Montgomery County have a message for their peers: “Put those phones away when driving or walking.” That theme was emphasized as the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) announced the winners of its 2025 Heads Up, Phones Down video contest. Htoo Lin of Richard Montgomery High School was the grand prize individual winner. David Salinas and Zachary Long of Seneca Valley High School took the grand prize in the team category.
You have until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 11 to enter the eighth annual Girl Power Contest. The contest is sponsored by the Montgomery County Commission for Women (CFW), in partnership with Montgomery County Recreation and Montgomery County Public Libraries.
 Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is offering a range of exciting programs this spring, designed to engage and inspire the whole community. From programs for parents and young children to workshops for teens, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the upcoming events.
Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) has released the eighth episode of its podcast series, Spirited Discussions: A Podcast by Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services. The series helps residents and businesses better understand alcohol products, trends and policies in Montgomery County. Titled “Festivals and Special Events,” the latest episode explores one-day or short-term events, such as festivals, fundraisers or concerts, where alcohol is served. The discussion provides tips for hosting these events safely and explains when an alcohol license is required.
 The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is hosting the 12th Annual Montgomery County Energy Summit on Tuesday, April 8, and Wednesday, April 9, at the Silver Spring Civic Building, located at 1 Veterans Place in Silver Spring. This year’s event will feature new educational sessions, hands-on workshops and personalized assistance resources designed to help building professionals move beyond basic energy benchmarking.
 March Madness has hit the County's Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Ride On “What Drives You” contest. To celebrate the excitement of the annual season, Ride On bus services is asking riders to submit stories highlighting positive experiences with Ride On bus service. Submissions will be entered into a weekly drawing throughout March for a prize pack, which includes a gift card and Ride On giveaways.
|
