Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined 19 other states in filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s new $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions, arguing it is unlawful, exceeds federal authority, and would worsen critical workforce shortages.
A Maryland woman won $1 million from a single $2 Powerball ticket purchased at a Prince George’s County 7-Eleven. The winner plans to pay off debts and buy a larger home. Full story below courtesy MD Lottery: (more…)
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.
Winter Weather Advisories have expanded to include Frederick County, Maryland and eastern Loudoun County, Virginia, as forecasters continue to track a narrow band of snow expected to impact the region overnight into Sunday morning.
The County Council announced upcoming public hearings in January, including a Jan. 13 session on a proposed $2.4 million supplemental appropriation for the Public Safety Joint Operations Center and an expedited bill that would strengthen immigrant protections within County government.
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.
Dreaming about your next vacation? Join Cruise Planners Beth Borrego and Rod Rodriguez for an inspiring day devoted to ocean and river cruises, guided tours, luxury travel and unforgettable destinations!
Meet representatives from AmaWaterways, Collette, Oceania Cruises and Premier World Discovery. Hear informative presentations, ask questions, explore exciting vacation possibilities and discover which travel experience may be the perfect fit for you.
Go Fresh 365, the Chinese and Asian supermarket chain, is now open at 1800 Rockville Pike in Rockville, taking over the former Safeway space at The Galvan at Twinbrook (photos below).
The National Weather Service has extended the Winter Weather Advisory for parts of Maryland through 10 am Sunday, as forecasters continue to monitor a narrow but potentially impactful band of overnight snow.
Goodwill is set to take over the Rockville space that was most recently home to Planet Aid in the Montrose Shopping Center (the longtime home of MOM’s Organic Market).
Dave’s Hot Chicken has officially posted its opening date for its long-anticipated Rockville Pike location. A sign now posted on the front door of the restaurant at 11564 Rockville Pike states that the location is closed for training and will open on Thursday, December 18.
The National Weather Service has issued an updated Winter Weather Advisory for the Baltimore-Washington region, including all of Montgomery County, as a quick-moving snow event is expected late Saturday night into early Sunday morning.
The community is rallying around the family of Kamara Chima, a 2022 graduate of Quince Orchard High School who was on her way home to Gaithersburg for Thanksgiving when she was involved in a fatal collision on November 23. (more…)
A family of eight was displaced Friday night after a house fire in the 12800 block of Tern Drive in Gaithersburg. (more…)