Markus Carter, 22, of Silver Spring, was sentenced in Montgomery County Circuit Court to 32 years in prison, suspending all but 12 years, plus five years of supervised probation, after pleading guilty to fentanyl and firearm-related charges, while also awaiting trial for a separate synthetic cannabinoid distribution case. (more…)
Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 4th District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Paul Leiter, a missing 34-year-old from Rockville. (more…)
Talent is one of the most important factors influencing where companies choose to invest, expand, and grow. As competition for skilled workers intensifies, employers are embracing a broader talent strategy: one that leverages partnerships. Last week, almost 120 business leaders, elected officials, and members of Montgomery County’s business community attended the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation’s (MCEDC) panel, “The Talent Advantage: A Growth Strategy for Companies in Montgomery County, Maryland,” to hear how local businesses are capitalizing on the County’s world-class academic institutions, innovation ecosystem, quality of life, and economic development resources to attract and retain top talent.
Moderated by Dr. Anne Khademian, Executive Director at The Universities at Shady Grove (USG), the panel included executives from businesses and institutions across industries, including Lockheed Martin, TrilliumBIO, Thales Defense & Security, Johns Hopkins, Montgomery College, and AstraZeneca, who discussed their companies’ strategies for developing their workforce.
Talent as a Business Strategy
For companies competing in highly specialized industries like the defense industry, access to talent directly influences where they choose to locate and grow. For Lockheed Martin, which employs nearly 1,000 people in Montgomery County, talent is one of the primary reasons the company chose to be headquartered here.
“Talent is in the top one or two reasons why we are in the County,” said Todd Cohen, Senior Lead of Strategic Workforce Development, Lockheed Martin.
According to Cohen, Lockheed Martin begins working with partners to develop their talent pipeline well before students enter the workforce, including partnering with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) on programs such as coding challenges. Lockheed Martin also maintains close relationships with local higher education institutions, including the Universities at Shady Grove (USG).
That local talent pipeline is also an important factor for AstraZeneca, which employs more than 5,000 employees and contractors in Montgomery County. According to Tiffany Lukis, Director of STEM and Community Engagement at AstraZeneca, the company often taps into its alumni base from Montgomery College (ranked #26 nationally among community colleges) and USG (which offers nine different public universities onto one campus), and other local institutions to fill highly technical roles.
Local Companies Are Developing Talent and Not Just Finding It
According to the panelists, investing in existing employees is just as important as recruiting new ones.
At Suburban Hospital, workforce development is closely tied to talent retention. The hospital partners with local educational institutions to provide employees with opportunities to gain new skills and advance their careers. Programs include a Certified Nursing Assistant program through Montgomery College and English as a Second Language classes.
“A huge part of our talent strategy is to prioritize holding on to our top tier talent,” said Corey Lewson, MSW, Program Manager, Workforce Development, John Hopkins Medicine.
For smaller companies, developing talent internally can be especially valuable. Lane Edwards, Vice President of Operations, TrilliumBIO, a biomarker discovery company with fewer than 20 employees based in Rockville, described the challenge of balancing the need for highly specialized expertise with the realities of building a team at an early-stage company.
“When it comes to hiring, we have to be very strategic,” Lane said. “Do we have someone who has the expertise or someone that we can build on?”
On Wednesday, Governor Wes Moore delivered his third State of the State address, focusing on economic investments, tax code reform, and addressing Maryland’s fiscal challenges, while outlining efforts in job growth, infrastructure, and public safety. (more…)
Two employees of JPG Plumbing and Mechanical, Inc. were convicted in Montgomery County for illegally dumping pollutants into a manhole in Ashton, Maryland, contaminating a residential pond and resulting in fines and probation. (more…)
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Music. Art. Food. Community. The Takoma Park Folk Festival brings it all together for one free, unforgettable day. Discover six stages of live music from around the world, shop an acclaimed juried craft show, enjoy international cuisine, connect with local community organizations, and let the kids explore crafts and activities in the Children's Nook. It's one of the region's most beloved traditions, and a celebration of the creativity, diversity, and welcoming spirit that has long defined Takoma Park.
New this year! Jam at the Crossroads is a place for musicians of all levels to come together and be part of the music.
“Slow down and take it all in… but if you scare easily, you might want to run. Welcome to the haunting world of Paranormal Cirque!” (more…)
Salt & Vine has announced it will open at 51 S Market St in Frederick. It will be taking over the space previously occupied by La Paz, which closed in December after 46 years in business. (more…)
MacArthur Boulevard is blocked between Walhonding Road and Sangamore Road/Maryland Avenue near Brookmont on Thursday morning due to a downed tree and a damaged utility pole, causing ongoing traffic disruptions. (more…)
The personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2025’s Most & Least Ethnically Diverse Cities, and four of the top ten “most ethnically diverse” cities/areas are in Montgomery County, Maryland,
Mega Millions is introducing a new format on April 8, featuring a ticket price increase from $2 to $5, a higher starting jackpot of $50 million, and larger prizes at all levels, including a minimum prize increase from $2 to $10. The range for the Mega Ball number will be reduced from 1-25 to 1-24, while the main number selection remains unchanged. (more…)
Starbucks is offering a free tall brewed coffee on Monday, February 10, the day after the Super Bowl, with a digital coupon available through the Starbucks app. (more…)
Lapu Lapu is set to open at 1417 S. Fern Street in Arlington, Virginia, according to a report by ARLNow. (more…)