Live updates from the Maryland 4A State Finals between the Wise Pumas and Quince Orchard Cougars on Friday, December 6, at 7:30pm. (more…)
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On Friday, a letter was sent to the Wootton High School community regarding an incident where a racial slur was found written on a student’s desk. The school postponed a scheduled pep rally to inform students and staff about the incident and announced plans for district staff to work with the school to address the situation and promote a more inclusive environment. (more…)
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?”
A Maryland court upheld a Final Order against Finish Werks Corp., its owner William Karl “Harris” Woodward, and related companies for over 800 violations of state consumer protection laws, requiring them to pay more than $955,000 in restitution and penalties and cease homebuilding activities unless a $700,000 bond is posted. (more…)
Eater DC has released its list of the “18 Best Steakhouses Around DC” and four Maryland restaurants have made the list– three with locations in Montgomery County.
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.
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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.
Antoine Randall, 20, of Boyds, was sentenced to eight years in prison and five years of supervised probation for gross negligent manslaughter and other charges stemming from a 2023 police pursuit in Wheaton that resulted in a fatal crash.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich announced a new online portal and hotline for residents to report hate-bias incidents, aiming to improve tracking and response to non-criminal acts of hate, including harassment, graffiti, and intimidation.
Mojitos Bar & Grill has opened its doors at 8035-D Snouffer School Rd in Gaithersburg, occupying the space formerly home to Moonlight Sports Bar and Buffalo Wings & Beer. (more…)
The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), with assistance from the FBI, Interpol, and El Salvador National Police, arrested and extradited 58-year-old fugitive Jose Mauricio Rivera from El Salvador after over 27 years on the run; Rivera was wanted for attempted murder and assault in a 1997 Silver Spring shooting.
With online shopping becoming a normal part of many lives, Takoma Park Police has sent a community advisory regarding the exploration of safe and secure alternatives for package deliveries.
Punta Cana Tropical Grill, a new Dominican restaurant at 9324 Georgia Ave in Silver Spring, has announced it will open on Saturday, December 7. The restaurant is located in the space that was previously home to Tropics Ice Cream & Jerk. (more…)
The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) is advising residents to report thefts from vehicles or vehicle tampering, remain vigilant during overnight hours, park in well-lit areas, lock doors, remove valuables, and watch for suspicious activity as thefts from autos and auto parts, including Honda airbag thefts, remain a concern. (more…)