Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich recently announced the launch of the $10 million Technology Innovation Fund and Founders Fund, offering commercialization grants to support early-stage businesses and underrepresented entrepreneurs, with applications open until January 31, 2025. (more…)
On Saturday, Governor Wes Moore announced that state agencies and offices will be closed on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 in observance of Christmas Eve.
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?”
It has been nearly a year since Buc-ee’s broke ground on its upcoming location in Rockingham County, VA. The store will be located at the exit 240 interchange along Interstate 81 (located near Harrisonburg, VA)- over 125 miles and about two hours from most parts of Montgomery County and is now aiming for a July 4th opening.
This past summer, we let you know that Pelicana chicken signed on to take over the space that was the longtime home of Woodside Deli in Rockville at 4 N Washington Street, according to Federal Realty. Woodside Deli closed in the summer of 2022 after 12 years at Rockville’s Courthouse Center.
At The Head Spa by Bare, we believe that true beauty begins with a healthy scalp, its your unique wellness experience for the mind and body. Relax with aromatherapy and gentle massages while healing your scalp.
Head Spa Facial rituals are a unique and luxurious experience that focuses on relaxing and revitalizing the scalp and hair. These rituals combine traditional Japanese techniques with modern spa treatments to provide a holistic approach to wellness.
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.
Metro will be running modified service on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day. On New Year’s Eve, fares will be free after 8 p.m. thanks to a partnership […]
The Energía Tour, launched in 2018 with two schools, has now expanded to 15 schools, from elementary to high school. Founded by Christopher Pinilla, or Mr. Chris Hypnotyc, the tour celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and promotes mental health awareness in Montgomery County. This year, the tour finished at Wheaton High School.
A large tree fell onto a house on New York Ave in Takoma Park on Saturday, December 21, striking the corner near the chimney and causing property damage.
Don Chicken, a Korean fried chicken restaurant, has opened its first Montgomery County location at 404 King Farm Blvd, Ste. 7130 in King Farm, taking over the space previously occupied by Mahshad Modern Persian Kitchen. (more…)
Alert Montgomery sent out a traffic alert at 2:21pm regarding a traffic incident that “closes northbound I-270 before Middlebrook Rd. Expect significant delays. Seek alternate route.”
District 4 (4D) Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) Commander David Smith shared this morning that at approximately 6:48 AM, officers from the 4th District responded to reports of a suspicious situation near the intersection of Veirs Mill Road and Ennalls Avenue in Wheaton.