On Friday, Governor Wes Moore joined a coalition of governors at the White House to sign a Statement of Principles calling for reforms to the PJM Interconnection electricity market, which supplies power to Maryland and other states.
|
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect this morning for parts of northwest Montgomery County, including areas like Germantown, Clarksburg, Poolesville, and Damascus.
Last week, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich signed legislation authorizing up to $420 million in tax increment financing bonds to help finance Viva White Oak, a $2.7 billion investment featuring more than 3 million square feet of lab space, office/medical office, retail, and over 4,400 quality residences. The 280-acre site, which is located adjacent to the FDA headquarters and near Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center, is expected to begin construction this fall.
“This is a project that has been discussed and planned for a long time, and now we are getting to the point where people will actually begin seeing it take shape,” said County Executive Elrich. “VIVA White Oak will bring thousands of homes, good jobs, restaurants, stores, and other amenities to an area of the County that has needed this level of investment for decades. We found a financing approach that allows us to build the infrastructure needed to make this development possible while using the new tax revenue generated by the project to repay the bonds. I appreciate the Council, our State partners, MCB, and especially the East County residents who kept pushing to get us to this point.”
Anchored by Costco and with a focus on innovation and research and development, Viva White Oak represents one of the largest development opportunities in Montgomery County in recent years. Once completed, the development is expected to generate $4.9 billion in annual economic output and give the County $21 million year in new revenue. Additionally, the new development is projected to generate 19,000 construction jobs and 9,000 permanent jobs.
“Viva White Oak demonstrates the County’s continued commitment to supporting growth and investment in Montgomery County,” said Jared Smith, President & CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). “The County’s first TIF gives us another important tool to compete for investment, attract businesses, and create jobs. Montgomery County has tremendous assets and opportunities, and using tools like this strategically will help us translate those strengths into long-term economic growth.”
Viva White Oak is expected to take place in two phases. In phase one, which is expected to be completed by 2031, it will deliver over 960 townhomes, 1,000 apartments, 470,000 square feet of retail space, a 175-room hotel with meeting space, up to 1,279 permanent on-site jobs, and 92,000 square feet of medical office space. Phase two, which will take place between 2033 and 2044, will deliver 1.3 million square feet of life sciences office and lab space, 400,000 square feet of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) life sciences manufacturing, almost 2,500 additional housing units delivered, a 150-room hotel dedicated to supporting innovation, and over 3,800 permanent on-site jobs.
Viva White Oak represents the County’s first use of a TIF and follows a push by Montgomery County to remove barriers and create new opportunities for businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs. In July, the Montgomery County Council approved the Job Creation Project zoning initiative, which is expected to cut permitting time in half for development projects that are in Montgomery County’s key industries—including life sciences and technology— or are expected to create at least 200 local jobs, further showcasing the County’s commitment to powering economic growth in target industries.
Austin Grill, the longtime Tex-Mex brand that once had a strong presence across the DMV, will celebrate its return with a grand opening on Tuesday, Feb. 4, in Sterling, Virginia, according to the restaurant’s Facebook page and website.
County Executive Marc Elrich condemned the anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian graffiti that was discovered Friday at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, calling it an act of hate that does not reflect Montgomery County’s values and reaffirming support for affected communities.
Blackbird Health has expanded into Maryland with a new pediatric mental health clinic in Gaithersburg, bringing additional behavioral health resources to children, teens, young adults, and families throughout Montgomery County.
Located at 555 Quince Orchard Road, Suite 250, the clinic offers comprehensive pediatric mental health services, including ADHD and autism evaluations, neuropsychological testing, therapy, psychiatry, and medication management.
Event location
Olney Baptist Church
17525 Georgia Ave
Olney, Maryland 20832
Add to Calendar
You’re Invited to the Community Fall Dance! 🍁
Join us for a fun, free evening of music, dancing, and community under the stars!
Before he became LA Knight, one of the hottest superstars in professional wrestling today, Shaun Ricker was a kid growing up in Hagerstown, Maryland, dreaming of making it big in the ring.
Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Aiden “Niko” Offutt, a missing 13-year-old from Montgomery Village. (more…)
A memorable start to Friday unfolded on Interstate 270 in Rockville when first responders helped welcome a baby girl into the world on the Falls Road exit ramp. (more…)
|
Montgomery County has issued an Extreme Cold Alert from Friday, January 16, at 3pm through Saturday, January 17 at 11am. Wind chills are expected to fall below 32°F, and residents are advised to dress in layers and take precautions if spending extended time outdoors.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a house fire on Holly View Court in Olney on Friday afternoon, where flames were reported on the exterior of a home with extension into the interior. (more…)
Local civil rights and interfaith organizations are condemning anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian graffiti that was discovered today at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, calling the incident harmful to students and urging accountability and community unity. (more…)
In 2023, The Washington Post ranked Steeze Burger as the number 1 burger in the DMV (DC Metro Area). Founded by Laytonsville resident Hunter Karametos, Steeze Burger launched as a pop-up in 2022 after Karametos spent nearly a year sampling more than 150 burgers as part of his research. Soon, Steeze Burger will open its first brick and mortar restaurant.