Gaithersburg-based Emergent BioSolutions has made the decision to cut 400 jobs and scale back operations at some its facilities, instead focusing on core products such as overdose reversal nasal spray Narcan and anthrax vaccines. The company is also eliminating its chief operating officer (COO) position. According to WTOP, “the job cuts are at Emergent’s Bayview facility in Baltimore, at its drug production facility in Rockville, as well as another facility in Canton, Massachusetts.”

In March, the FDA granted the over-the-counter approval of Narcan to Emergent BioSolutions. It became the first naloxone product approved for use without a prescription. “Emergent’s business pivot is expected to result in yearly savings of more than $100 million, the company explained. The moves will cost Emergent around $20 million—costs it expects to incur in the third quarter of 2023.” according to FiercePharma.


The City is one of eight municipalities from across the country selected to receive coaching & support from NLC’s expert staff.

Per the City of Gaithersburg: The City is proud to announce its participation in the National League of Cities (NLC) Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant program. As a selected participant, the City will receive a grant in the amount of $15,000 for economic mobility advancement along with five-months of coaching from NLC. Grant funds will be used toward expanded outreach of the City’s Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) and programs that provide economic support and opportunity.


Last year Burke & Herbert Bank, Virginia’s oldest bank, expanded outside of Virginia (into Bethesda) for the first time in its 170-year history. The expansion was led by Gaithersburg native and Burke & Herbert Bank senior vice president Michael Solomon, who was recently named to BizJournal’s 40 Under 40 list.

Burke & Herbert Bank announced last summer that it opened a commercial lending office in Bethesda, Maryland, which marked the first time the 170-year old financial institution, headquartered in Alexandria, has operated outside of Virginia. The Bethesda commercial lending office, at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, is led by Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager Michael Solomon. Solomon, local to the Montgomery County area, brings over a decade of financial experience to this role. He attended Dufief Elementary School, Robert Frost Middle School, and Wootton High School.


The inaugural Maryland Cider Festival is on its way – Saturday, September 9th at Two Story Chimney Ciderworks (7115 Damascus Rd. Gaitherburg, MD 20882) from 11am until 4pm. This event will showcase hard cider makers from across the Old Line State. You’ll also find local artisans, craft vendors, live music, and food trucks. Whether you’re an aficionado who knows their cider, cidre, or sidra, or you’re just looking for a refreshing change of taste this is the place to be. Come join us for a celebration of Maryland craft makers.

The festival will feature ten local cideries showcasing their best hard ciders, from dry to sweet, still to sparkling, modern to heritage, and everything in between. Ciders of all styles and types will be in glass for you to sample and take home, and you’ll get to learn more about the cider-making process from the experts. The festival will also have food trucks serving up delicious bites to pair with your cider, live music from local musicians for your enjoyment, and local craft vendors selling their unique and handmade products.


Last December, we let you know that Dunkin’ is continuing its massive expansion across the country and within MoCo, with an upcoming location coming to the Traville Village Center in Rockville. Crews have been working on both the interior and exterior of the space, with a projected opening timeframe of late 2023/early 2024.

Earlier this year learned that Dunkin’ will be taking over 1,500 SF in the back half of the building that was previously home to Capital One Bank building at 9761 Traville Gateway Drive (rendering available below). The location will also have a drive-thru. 1,700 SF on the front side of the building is still available to lease and has also received a facelift since its days as a bank (photo below).


Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center is saving lives while also saving energy. The hospital and its partner InSite, a building intelligence company, have been honored by PEPCO for their success in energy conservation.

Shady Grove Medical Center and InSite received the 2022 Pepco Service Provider Award for Innovation. The honor recognizes participating service providers in Pepco’s Energy Savings for Business programs, which reward excellence in energy savings, project work and customer service.


The 30th annual Oktoberfest returns to transform the Kentlands in Gaithersburg, with multiple stages of live entertainment featuring traditional Bavarian music & dancing, along with local, regional & national talent. the event will take place on Sunday, October 8th from 12pm-5pm.

Fall-themed activities for families, a Business Expo, artisans, beer, mead & cider, and delicious food will delight attendees throughout the day. In past years this event has drawn crowds of up to 30,000. Admission, shuttles & parking are free to the public. We’ll have an update with more details as the event draws nearer.


UPDATE: THE PARADE HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO CONCERNS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT

The City & the Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Fire Department celebrate the unofficial end of summer with the 85th Annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, September 4, 2023, at 1 p.m. The parade features an assortment of high school marching bands, dance groups, costumed characters, antique cars & fire engines, equestrian units, clowns, and more, all winding their way down East Diamond & Russell Avenues. Note that participation in the Labor Day Parade by groups or organizations other than City of Gaithersburg officials, departments or committees does not constitute City of Gaithersburg endorsement. Food vendors will be located at Olde Towne Plaza and the parking lot next to the Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Fire Station.


Other local winners last week included $10,000 scratch-off tickets sold at Giant (46 Bureau Drive) in Gaithersburg and at Shady Grove Beer & Wine (15904 Shady Grove Rd) in Gaithersburg. Full list of winners across the state of Maryland below, courtesy of MD Lottery:

“No one hit the Mega Millions jackpot over the weekend, boosting the game’s top prize to $1.55 billion, but six players in Maryland won $10,000 each in the game in the past week, one each in Annapolis, Edgewater, Frederick, Leonardtown, Ocean City and Silver Spring. The $1.55 billion jackpot is the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever, and the third largest U.S. jackpot. The biggest Lottery wins in the past week, however, were four prizes between $100,000 and $500,000 on scratch-off tickets purchased in Adelphi, Cumberland, Perry Hall and Pikesville.


Gold’s Gym will be closing its Gaithersburg location at 18810 Woodfield Rd, next to the Montgomery County Airpark. The gym’s last day in business will be August 25. The gym sent the following email to members:

We have some important news to share about your membership at Gold’s Gym Airpark and want to be transparent in our communication of some upcoming changes set to occur this month. The county is taking the land back under what is called eminent domain relating to the neighboring airfield – we are being required to exit and turn the building back over to the landlord. This is out of our control, unfortunately, and we are forced to permanently close Gold’s Gym Airpark on August 25th, 2023.


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