MCPS recently shared that the Washington Commanders joined Clarksburg High School in their gymnasium for a pep rally this past Thursday (video below).
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic’s significant challenges, DJs Victor Alvarez and Carlos Jimenez took advantage of their unexpected free time to chase a long-cherished dream. As the world came to a standstill, they dedicated themselves to making Big Papi’s taco restaurant a reality in the Industry Lane Business Park near Frederick. Now, the restaurant is coming to Montgomery County.
Talent is one of the most important factors influencing where companies choose to invest, expand, and grow. As competition for skilled workers intensifies, employers are embracing a broader talent strategy: one that leverages partnerships. Last week, almost 120 business leaders, elected officials, and members of Montgomery County’s business community attended the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation’s (MCEDC) panel, “The Talent Advantage: A Growth Strategy for Companies in Montgomery County, Maryland,” to hear how local businesses are capitalizing on the County’s world-class academic institutions, innovation ecosystem, quality of life, and economic development resources to attract and retain top talent.
Moderated by Dr. Anne Khademian, Executive Director at The Universities at Shady Grove (USG), the panel included executives from businesses and institutions across industries, including Lockheed Martin, TrilliumBIO, Thales Defense & Security, Johns Hopkins, Montgomery College, and AstraZeneca, who discussed their companies’ strategies for developing their workforce.
Talent as a Business Strategy
For companies competing in highly specialized industries like the defense industry, access to talent directly influences where they choose to locate and grow. For Lockheed Martin, which employs nearly 1,000 people in Montgomery County, talent is one of the primary reasons the company chose to be headquartered here.
“Talent is in the top one or two reasons why we are in the County,” said Todd Cohen, Senior Lead of Strategic Workforce Development, Lockheed Martin.
According to Cohen, Lockheed Martin begins working with partners to develop their talent pipeline well before students enter the workforce, including partnering with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) on programs such as coding challenges. Lockheed Martin also maintains close relationships with local higher education institutions, including the Universities at Shady Grove (USG).
That local talent pipeline is also an important factor for AstraZeneca, which employs more than 5,000 employees and contractors in Montgomery County. According to Tiffany Lukis, Director of STEM and Community Engagement at AstraZeneca, the company often taps into its alumni base from Montgomery College (ranked #26 nationally among community colleges) and USG (which offers nine different public universities onto one campus), and other local institutions to fill highly technical roles.
Local Companies Are Developing Talent and Not Just Finding It
According to the panelists, investing in existing employees is just as important as recruiting new ones.
At Suburban Hospital, workforce development is closely tied to talent retention. The hospital partners with local educational institutions to provide employees with opportunities to gain new skills and advance their careers. Programs include a Certified Nursing Assistant program through Montgomery College and English as a Second Language classes.
“A huge part of our talent strategy is to prioritize holding on to our top tier talent,” said Corey Lewson, MSW, Program Manager, Workforce Development, John Hopkins Medicine.
For smaller companies, developing talent internally can be especially valuable. Lane Edwards, Vice President of Operations, TrilliumBIO, a biomarker discovery company with fewer than 20 employees based in Rockville, described the challenge of balancing the need for highly specialized expertise with the realities of building a team at an early-stage company.
“When it comes to hiring, we have to be very strategic,” Lane said. “Do we have someone who has the expertise or someone that we can build on?”
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will host a public forum on February 18 at 6 p.m. in Wheaton to gather feedback on proposed changes to Ride On and Metrobus routes, with written comments accepted until February 28.
Montgomery County entrepreneurs can apply for the Technology Innovation Fund and Founders Fund, offering a combined $10 million in grants to support commercialization projects, with applications open until 5 p.m. on January 31, 2025. (more…)
We’ve Got the Ticket to Every Sunday Showdown! 🏈🔥
Catch every live out-of-market Sunday game with NFL Sunday Ticket this football season at Lucky Strike Rockville!
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Music. Art. Food. Community. The Takoma Park Folk Festival brings it all together for one free, unforgettable day. Discover six stages of live music from around the world, shop an acclaimed juried craft show, enjoy international cuisine, connect with local community organizations, and let the kids explore crafts and activities in the Children's Nook. It's one of the region's most beloved traditions, and a celebration of the creativity, diversity, and welcoming spirit that has long defined Takoma Park.
New this year! Jam at the Crossroads is a place for musicians of all levels to come together and be part of the music.
On Friday, Governor Wes Moore announced the appointment of Harry Coker, Jr. as Maryland’s Secretary of Commerce, effective February 5, 2025, pending State Senate confirmation, succeeding Kevin Anderson, who will transition to a senior advisor role for economic development. (more…)
The Montgomery County Council and Committees will meet on January 27, 2025, to discuss the state budget, local and bi-county bills, updates from Visit Montgomery, WorkSource Montgomery, and the Department of Permitting Services, and review zoning amendments, police regulations, and the “Uplifting Victims and Immigrant Safety Act.” Full agenda below courtesy Montgomery County: (more…)
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The Maryland Public Service Commission will hold a public hearing on February 4, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in Beallsville and virtually, to gather comments on Chaberton Solar Sugarloaf I, LLC’s proposal to build a 4.0 MW solar facility in Dickerson, MD, with additional written comments accepted until February 7.
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The Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division announced a delay in releasing body-worn camera footage from a December 24, 2024, in-custody police incident in Gaithersburg to allow for necessary redactions and compliance with protocols. (more…)
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Nash & Smash, a new restaurant serving Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, fried chicken, smash burgers, and more, is now open at 10121 Colesville Rd in the Woodmoor Shopping Center.
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Fifteen Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students have been named recipients of full-tuition, four-year college scholarships from the Posse Foundation. The Posse program identifies public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential that may have been overlooked by traditional college selection processes.
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The Montgomery County Council will hold its annual Black History Month commemoration on February 4 at 11:30 a.m., focusing on the theme “African Americans and Labor,” featuring proclamations, video interviews, and recognition of local labor leaders. (more…)