Construction is scheduled to begin in December on a major upgrade of the trail system at Blohm Park in Gaithersburg. The project, contracted through the City’s Department of Public Works, will be completed by Highway and Safety Services, Inc., and is expected to take approximately three months, depending on weather conditions.
A Montgomery County woman won $57,486 on a FAST PLAY 7-11-21 progressive jackpot ticket purchased at the Safeway on New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring. 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.
Montgomery County Council committees will meet on Dec. 1 to receive an update from the Advisory Commission on Policing and to review several zoning and landlord-tenant measures, including increased eviction notification requirements and the creation of a new University Boulevard Overlay Zone.
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and Secretary of State Susan C. Lee announced a final decision upholding multiple violations of the Maryland Solicitations Act by DMV Futures, Inc. and its leaders for misleading donors, misusing charitable contributions, and ignoring reporting requirements.
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.
October 10 & 11, 2026
The MoCo Epic is a festival celebrating mountain biking, natural surface trails, and the community that makes this region a great place to ride! 2026 marks the 16th anniversary of the MoCo Epic.
Governor Wes Moore announced that applications are now open in eight Maryland jurisdictions for the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program, which provides emergency housing support to families with students enrolled in Community Schools who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Two people were found dead in the 1100 block of University Blvd. West in Silver Spring after the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) responded to a call just before 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) reports that during the week of November 19–22, the Alcohol Holiday Task Force made 177 traffic stops, issued more than 400 citations and warnings, recovered two firearms, and arrested 25 people for DUI as part of its focused holiday enforcement efforts.
A Washington, D.C. man won a $50,000 prize from the Maryland Lottery’s Holiday Raffle after buying his ticket at the 7-Eleven on Gaither Road in Rockville. He plans to use the winnings to pay off his car and hopes for another big win in future drawings. Full story below courtesy MD Lottery: (more…)
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued a consumer alert urging Marylanders to stay vigilant against increasingly sophisticated holiday shopping scams, noting that consumer fraud losses reached $12.5 billion nationwide in 2024.
Signage is now up for Quincy’s Golf & Social at 245 Kentlands Blvd in Gaithersburg, where the country club style restaurant, bar, and golf venue is taking over the former Not Your Average Joe’s space.
Papa John’s International announced a major refranchising deal that shifts control of 85 restaurants across the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore regions to Pie Investments, led by franchise operator Chris Patel. The move instantly positions Pie Investments as one of the largest Papa Johns franchise groups in the country, now operating more than 150 locations nationwide.