MoCo Government Archives - Page 174 of 244

Montgomery County is Providing 40,000 Chromebooks to Residents Who Do Not Have Computers; Over 15,000 Distributed So Far

Published August 15, 2022 at 6:32AM

As we noted back in May, Montgomery County is providing 40,000 Chromebook computers to residents who do not have a computer. Eventbrite is being used to create appointment tickets to manage computer pick-ups. If all appointments are taken, check back on the page in a few days for new events. 4 to 5 events will be hosted every week through October 2022. As more computers are received this summer and fall, we will offer more appointments into 2023. Every person receiving a computer:

There is a limit of one computer per person. You do not need to be a U.S. Citizen to receive a computer but you must be a Montgomery County resident. EVERY PERSON, INCLUDING CHILDREN, MUST HAVE THEIR OWN APPOINTMENT AND APPEAR ON THEIR APPOINTMENT DAY IN PERSON WITH ID TO RECEIVE A COMPUTER (For Example: If a parent wants a computer for the parent and two computers for two children, the parent must make 3 appointments and bring the two children with ID to receive the computers. If you make an appointment for June 21, you cannot show up on a different day.)

Capital Area Solar Co-op Will Remain Open Through Aug. 30 in Encouraging Homeowners to Consider Letting the Sun Provide Their Power

By Patrick Herron

Published August 14, 2022 at 10:58AM

In Round 2, Solar United Neighbors (SUN) continues to work with more than a dozen local jurisdictions and organizations around the Capital Area in encouraging residents to put solar panels on their homes.

By joining the #CapitalAreaSolarCoop, residents will join neighbors in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. in the quest to lower energy costs, become energy independent and participate in the renewable revolution.

Marc Elrich Leads David Blair By 35 Votes After 102 Additional Ballots Were Canvassed Saturday; Election Certification at 3pm

By MCS Staff

Published August 13, 2022 at 2:43PM

Marc Elrich had a 42 vote lead going into Saturday’s canvassing of 102 provisional ballots that were found unopened and sealed during an audit on Thursday. The ballots were canvassed, scanned, and tabulated starting at 11am Saturday morning and the unofficial final result gives Marc Elrich a 35 vote lead. The Board of Elections will meet at 3pm to certify the election results and David Blair is expected to request a recount.

If a recount petition is filed, election officials must work at least eight hours for each day of the recount and may choose to pause the recount on Sundays and holidays, per the Montgomery County Board of Elections.

102 Remaining Ballots to Be Canvassed At 11am Saturday Morning; Election To Be Certified At 3pm

By MCS Staff

Published August 13, 2022 at 7:47AM

The 102 unopened and sealed provisional ballots will be canvassed, scanned, and tabulated starting at 11am Saturday morning. The Board of Elections will meet at 3pm to certify the election results. On Thursday, August 11, at 11:19pm, Montgomery County’s Acting Election Director, Alysoun McLaughlin, released the following statement:

“Our precertification audit identified additional provisional ballots to be counted and the Board of Elections will be unable to certify the election as scheduled at its meeting tomorrow afternoon.”

Montgomery County’s Continues to Receive ‘Triple-A’ Bond Rating and Status Among Nation’s Best for Fiscal Responsibility

By Patrick Herron

Published August 12, 2022 at 2:21PM

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings all affirmed the Triple-A rating—the highest achievable—for the County. Montgomery County has earned Triple-A ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. every year since 1973 (50 consecutive years); from Standard & Poor’s every year since 1976 (47 consecutive years) and from Fitch every year since 1991 (32 consecutive years).

All three rating agencies emphasized Montgomery County’s large and diverse tax base, proximity to the District of Columbia, growing commercial and residential development as well as the County’s strong fiscal management policies and strong financial position.

Election Certification Delayed; 102 Additional Ballots Remain to Be Counted

By MCS Staff

Published August 12, 2022 at 7:05AM

Montgomery County’s Acting Election Director, Alysoun McLaughlin, released the following statement at 11:19pm on Thursday, August 11:

“I apologize for this error and for not identifying it until today, or the remaining ballots could have been counted earlier. I want to emphasize that Maryland’s comprehensive precertification audit was designed to identify issues like this before an election is certified to ensure the accuracy of the results. It worked as intended.”

Montgomery County to Open Applications for Retail Business Rental Assistance Grants on Sept. 1, with Informational Webinars to be Held Tuesday, Aug. 16, and Friday, Aug. 19

By Patrick Herron

Published August 11, 2022 at 4:07PM

A business could be eligible to receive assistance from this program if it:

The SBRA program application, eligibility requirements, frequently asked questions and registration for informational webinars Tuesday, Aug. 16, and Friday, Aug. 19,, are available at Montgomery County Small Business Rental Assistance Program – Phase 2.

(NOW DELAYED) Election Certification Planned for Friday; Recount Could Start As Early As Thursday, August 18

By MCS Staff

Published August 11, 2022 at 7:48AM | Updated August 12, 2022 at 7:00AM

Update 8/11, 11:19pm: Certification has been delayed as board of elections releases statement on additional provisional ballots that still need to be counted

If a recount petition is filed, which David Blair stated he would do, it could tentatively start Thursday, August 18. Election officials must work at least eight hours for each day of the recount and may choose to pause the recount on Sundays and holidays, per the Montgomery County Board of Elections.

RESCHEDULED: County to Host Ceremony of Remembrance to Commemorate ‘International Overdose Awareness Day’ on Aug. 25, and Will Launch ‘Montgomery Goes Purple’

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 9:16PM | Updated August 23, 2022 at 3:58PM

UPDATE: Montgomery County’s ceremony of remembrance and candlelight vigil has been rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 1, in Downtown Rockville to memorialize lives lost to overdose or substance use.

“Montgomery Goes Purple,” an awareness campaign aimed at spotlighting the impact of opioid addiction on the community, will be launched as part of the ceremonies which also lead to September being recognized as “Recovery Month.” The color purple has been adopted internationally to illustrate the struggles endured by people who are drug addicted and the related impacts on their families and friends.

Electric Vehicle Ownership Continues to Rise in MoCo

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 9:13PM

This growth is welcome news for the County’s carbon emissions goals. The Climate Action Plan identified transitioning to electric vehicles as a key action for reducing emissions in the County – along with reducing driving overall with increased use of transit, waking, and bicycling. With EVs only making up 1.5 percent of registered vehicles, there is a long way to go.

According to a Bloomberg News study of EV adoption around the world, once a market reaches 5 percent of new vehicle sales, demand starts to accelerate rapidly. The United States recently passed this milestone, and Montgomery County is ahead of the curve.

Montgomery County Completes ‘High Road Economic Inclusion Framework for an Equitable Climate-Ready Economy’ Report Addressing Climate Change, Equity, Economic Development

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 2:08PM

The analysis, conducted by Emerald Cities Collaborativeand its subcontractors, Inclusive Economics and Health Care Without Harm, focuses on the need to actively align the County workforce and small business ecosystems. It also recommends leveraging partnerships with large “anchor institutions” to advance climate action and economic inclusion.

“We can’t reach our climate change goals without addressing systemic inequities and we can’t build a robust and resilient economy without considering climate change,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “While climate change is no doubt an extraordinary threat to our very livelihood, it also presents an historic opportunity to boost our economic development and address racial economic disparities. We intend to seize that opportunity.”