MoCo Government

New Cybersecurity Initiative with Focus on Helping Small Businesses Seeking to Provide Cybersecurity Services Will Be Detailed at March 6 Event in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: As the world continues to grapple with the complexities of securing critical IT systems and infrastructure, the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) and partners are stepping up their collaborative approach to cybersecurity innovation. A new initiative with a focus on helping small businesses seeking to provide cybersecurity services will be detailed at an event in Rockville on Monday, March 6. The National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) is launching the new Cybersecurity Connections initiative with a special emphasis on small businesses seeking to provide cybersecurity services or that want to connect with companies, government or academic organizations for cybersecurity support.

Some of the effort’s goals are to:

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Schedule and Education Sessions Announced for 10th Annual Montgomery County Energy Summit That Will Be Held March 28-29 in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

On March 28, the sessions are designed for building owners, managers and facilities staff. Attendees will cycle through five stations to learn about energy benchmarking and performance requirements for commercial buildings. The sessions will address resources available to assist in improving building performance, including receiving utility incentives, financing building upgrades, securing building permits and installing electric vehicle charging stations.

During the first day of the summit, attendees will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one, ask questions and receive hands-on support from subject matter experts. Energy audit demos will take place throughout the day to help attendees consider no-and low-cost energy-saving opportunities in their buildings.

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Sixth Annual ‘Girl Power Contest’ Recognizing March as Women’s History Month Accepting Entries Through Friday, March 31

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: In recognition of March as Women’s History Month, the Montgomery County Commission for Women, Montgomery County Libraries and Friends of the Library is holding its Sixth Annual “Girl Power Contest.” County residents, ages 5 and up, are encouraged to submit a short story, poem, drawing or entry in the medium of their choice that addresses this year’s theme. Entries must be submitted by midnight on Friday, March 31.

In 2022, the Montgomery County Council made history as voters in November elected the County’s first female-majority Council. In honor of this milestone, the following question is the theme for this year’s Girl Power Contest: We now have six women on the Montgomery County Council. What advice would you give them to make sure our community is a place where women and girls can feel safe and encouraged?

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Council President Evan Glass Calls for Creation of Anti-Hate Task Force

By Patrick Herron

According to the most recent Montgomery County Report on Bias Incidents, there were 143 reported bias incidents in 2021 – the highest number in nearly a decade. Of the 79 race-based incidents, 60.8% were anti-Black and 20.3% were anti-Asian. Of the 34 incidents motivated by bias towards religion, 85.3% were considered anti-Jewish, despite residents of Jewish faith making up only 10% of the population. The level of public animosity towards Jews is higher than it’s been in recent memory, with antisemitic hate crimes on the rise in our region and across the nation. Last year, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported a 34% increase in antisemitic incidents nationwide – the highest number on record since ADL began tracking such incidents.

As a Jew and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I know the fear and pain many of our neighbors are experiencing. One of the central functions of government is to provide comfort and safety to our residents, which is why we have a moral obligation to promote inclusiveness, celebrate diversity, prevent the spread of misinformation, and reject hate in all its forms.

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County to Offer $20,000 Incentive to Join Montgomery County Police; Department Currently Down 129 Sworn Officers

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge #35 have come to an agreement to begin offering a $20,000 bonus for new sworn police recruits.  The funding for the initial part of this effort was generated through savings accrued from personnel vacancies within the Montgomery County Police Department. Full implementation of the bonus program would require County Council approval for the fiscal 2024 and beyond budgets.

Chief Marcus Jones confirmed earlier this month in testimony before the Public Safety Committee of the County Council that the Department is currently down 129 sworn officers.

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Montgomery Housing Project is Accepting Donations For Those Affected by Saturday’s Fire at Silver Spring Apartment Complex (Hundreds Displaced)

By MCS Staff

A fire that took place on Saturday, February 18th at the Arrive high-rise apartment complex on Georgia Avenue in Downtown Silver Spring resulted in one fatality and injuries to multiple residents, as well as the displacement of hundreds of residents. At the request of Montgomery County, Montgomery Housing Project (MHP) is managing a dedicated relief fund to assist those affected by the fire. One-hundred percent of donations will go directly to those affected.

Per MHP: “While this is not an MHP property, we maintain close ties with the community through the many affordable housing properties we have developed in Montgomery County, and are playing a role by managing financial donations to help impacted residents. Thank you for lending a hand to our neighbors!” Donations can be made here.

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Ride On Flash Buses Decorated For February

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County residents are feeling the love from their local transportation department. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation has decorated some of its US 29 Flash buses with pink neon heart-shaped lights in honor of Valentine’s Day. The buses will remain decorated throughout February.

Fares on Ride On for most riders has been re-established at $1 per ride. Seniors (age 65 and older), persons with disabilities and youth under 19 ride free with specialized SmartTrip cards. The Flash buses are the first of a series of Bus Rapid Transit corridors planned for the County

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New Legislation Introduced Aimed at Having Certain Businesses Improve Late-Night Safety

By MCS Staff

The Late-Night Business Safety Plan bill was introduced on Feb. 14 to the Council, which will now consider it. “Last year, we met with business leaders and community members in Silver Spring to discuss the situation and concerns with late night establishments over crime and safety,” said County Executive Elrich. “Since then, we have added safety cameras and new license plate reading technology in areas where they are needed. We have used crime date to reconfigure our patrol strategies. When passed, this bill will be another tool to help keep the community safe by relying on our businesses that cater to a late-night crowd to be part of the solution.”

Changes already in place to improve safety in Silver Spring include the addition of three high-visibility morning posts for officers in the Downtown Silver Spring area, more bicycle officers on patrol and more officers involved in community engagement and crime prevention areas. Adopt-A-Neighborhood programs and support from Maryland State Police have helped the area see fewer incidents of crime since last summer. Adding the Late-Night Business Safety Plan is the next step in addressing safety concerns.

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$1.5 million Is Available Through Two Grant Programs for Nonprofits Working With ‘Underserved Communities’ in Montgomery County

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the Montgomery County Council today announced a total of $1.5 million will be available through two new grant programs for County nonprofit organizations that work with “underserved communities.” Both programs are intentionally very flexible to allow nonprofits to identify their own needs and new programs best suited to support their communities.

Eligible nonprofits can now apply for funds from the programs. Applications are due by 9 a.m. on Wednesday March 15. An online information session for the grant program will be held from 1:30-3 p.m. on Friday Feb. 17. To join the information session or see its recording, click here.

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