The City of Gaithersburg’s signature fall celebration returns Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 12pm to 5pm, as the Kentlands neighborhood transforms into a vibrant Bavarian-style village for the 32nd annual Oktoberfest. The community event draws tens of thousands each year for an afternoon filled with music, food, and family fun.
At approximately 3:25 p.m. on Sunday, October 5, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a vehicle fire at 12300 Wilkins Avenue near Parklawn Drive in North Bethesda. (more…)
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.
A new Haitian restaurant and bar, Chez Aviole, is preparing to open at 7912 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, in the space previously occupied by Port-au-Prince Haitian Cuisine, which closed earlier this spring. (more…)
Montgomery County-based apparel company Collars & Co., famously known for its appearance on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” will officially open during this weekend’s FALLFest at Congressional Plaza.
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.
Bring your family and friends to our free , all-day outdoor Oktoberfest celebration. These will be an outdoor craft fair featuring local artisans and professional woodworkers, a chainsaw carving, woodworking and tool demonstrations by Festool, Montgomery Wood Turners and Carvers. There will also be lots of delicious food provided by El Parente Tacos, El Jeffe Wood-fired pizzas, Bruster's Ice cream and seasonal craft brews from Saints Row Brwsing Company.
From 1996 to 2007, Jeepers! operated at 700 Hungerford Drive in Rockville, offering families an indoor mix of play zones, rides, and dining. (more…)
The Montgomery County Sports Advisory Committee is now accepting nominations for its second annual Unsung Sports Hero Award, which honors individuals or organizations that have expanded access to sports in the County, particularly for underserved communities.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined 23 other attorneys general in filing an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to review a lower court ruling that blocks individuals from suing to enforce Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
Governor Wes Moore announced the launch of Maryland’s Federal Shutdown Loan Program, which provides a one-time $700 no-interest loan to “excepted” federal employees required to work without pay during the government shutdown.
The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of its 2025 Business Awards, which will be celebrated at the annual dinner on November 12 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.
UPDATE: Aleena Thompson has been located safe and unharmed. Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division are asking for the public’s assistance in locating […]
With Americans losing an average of $771 per year due to time spent in traffic, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its report on 2025’s Best & Worst Cities to Drive in, with Baltimore and Washington D.C. both among the 10 worst.