The Montgomery County Planning Board voted on Thursday, December 4, 2025, to approve the Planning Board Draft of the Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan and transmit it to the Montgomery County Council for its public review process. The draft plan is an update to the 1994 Clarksburg Master Plan, reimagining the underdeveloped areas of Clarksburg east of I-270 and west of Frederick Road (MD 355), which have largely remained unchanged over the past 30 years and present an opportunity for growth.
Students in Montgomery County Public Schools’ Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) and Information Technology Foundation programs are gearing up for their first public sale of the school year, taking place this Saturday, December 6, from 9am to 11am at Gaithersburg High School. The event will feature a wide selection of student-refurbished used cars along with professionally reconditioned computers, all restored as part of hands-on career training. List of cars available below.
Last week, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich signed legislation authorizing up to $420 million in tax increment financing bonds to help finance Viva White Oak, a $2.7 billion investment featuring more than 3 million square feet of lab space, office/medical office, retail, and over 4,400 quality residences. The 280-acre site, which is located adjacent to the FDA headquarters and near Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center, is expected to begin construction this fall.
“This is a project that has been discussed and planned for a long time, and now we are getting to the point where people will actually begin seeing it take shape,” said County Executive Elrich. “VIVA White Oak will bring thousands of homes, good jobs, restaurants, stores, and other amenities to an area of the County that has needed this level of investment for decades. We found a financing approach that allows us to build the infrastructure needed to make this development possible while using the new tax revenue generated by the project to repay the bonds. I appreciate the Council, our State partners, MCB, and especially the East County residents who kept pushing to get us to this point.”
Anchored by Costco and with a focus on innovation and research and development, Viva White Oak represents one of the largest development opportunities in Montgomery County in recent years. Once completed, the development is expected to generate $4.9 billion in annual economic output and give the County $21 million year in new revenue. Additionally, the new development is projected to generate 19,000 construction jobs and 9,000 permanent jobs.
“Viva White Oak demonstrates the County’s continued commitment to supporting growth and investment in Montgomery County,” said Jared Smith, President & CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). “The County’s first TIF gives us another important tool to compete for investment, attract businesses, and create jobs. Montgomery County has tremendous assets and opportunities, and using tools like this strategically will help us translate those strengths into long-term economic growth.”
Viva White Oak is expected to take place in two phases. In phase one, which is expected to be completed by 2031, it will deliver over 960 townhomes, 1,000 apartments, 470,000 square feet of retail space, a 175-room hotel with meeting space, up to 1,279 permanent on-site jobs, and 92,000 square feet of medical office space. Phase two, which will take place between 2033 and 2044, will deliver 1.3 million square feet of life sciences office and lab space, 400,000 square feet of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) life sciences manufacturing, almost 2,500 additional housing units delivered, a 150-room hotel dedicated to supporting innovation, and over 3,800 permanent on-site jobs.
Viva White Oak represents the County’s first use of a TIF and follows a push by Montgomery County to remove barriers and create new opportunities for businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs. In July, the Montgomery County Council approved the Job Creation Project zoning initiative, which is expected to cut permitting time in half for development projects that are in Montgomery County’s key industries—including life sciences and technology— or are expected to create at least 200 local jobs, further showcasing the County’s commitment to powering economic growth in target industries.
The National Weather Service has expanded its Winter Weather Advisory to include the District of Columbia, central Maryland (including all of Montgomery County), and portions of northern Virginia, warning that a mix of light snow and very cold temperatures will create treacherous travel conditions early Friday. The advisory is in effect from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the Friday morning commute expected to be significantly impacted.
Update: the Advisory has expanded again to include much of the DC region. More here.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has expanded its Winter Weather Advisory into portions of southern Maryland and northern Virginia, where forecasters expect accumulating snow and hazardous travel conditions beginning early Friday morning. The Special Weather Statement remains issued for areas closer to the DC Metro area, including DC and all immediately surrounding counties.
Blackbird Health has expanded into Maryland with a new pediatric mental health clinic in Gaithersburg, bringing additional behavioral health resources to children, teens, young adults, and families throughout Montgomery County.
Located at 555 Quince Orchard Road, Suite 250, the clinic offers comprehensive pediatric mental health services, including ADHD and autism evaluations, neuropsychological testing, therapy, psychiatry, and medication management.
Event location
Bluemont Park
329 N Manchester St.
arlington, Virginia 22203
Join us for the LLT 5K Run/Walk, a community-powered fundraiser supporting Empower Latina and our mission to uplift, empower, and create opportunities for Latina women and girls. Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, your participation helps make a meaningful impact. Lace up, show up, and empower Latina!
Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 4th District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jasmine Carcamo, a missing 19-year-old. (more…)
A new restaurant is on the way to the Cloverly Village Center, where Eri Star Café is preparing to move into the longtime former home of Buffalo Wings & Beer at 15412 New Hampshire Avenue. The space has sat vacant for nearly four years, but new signage now confirms that activity has finally returned to the storefront.
Kapow Buddy ‘Thai Street Bowls’ at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda is temporarily closed on Thursday, December 4, due to a maintenance issue. (more…)
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is urging residents to support local nonprofits through the Montgomery Gives Local campaign as organizations face rising demand for food, housing assistance, and emergency support.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued both a Special Weather Statement and a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Baltimore and Washington metro areas, warning of potentially hazardous travel conditions for the Friday morning commute.
Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-González will announce the introduction of the Trust Act on Dec. 4 alongside county leaders, law enforcement, and community organizations.
Rockville will host its annual Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, Feb. 21, featuring multicultural performances, interactive displays, kids’ crafts, and free to-go snack boxes at Richard Montgomery High School.