SS/economic.pr                    Contact:  David Edgerley, 301-217-2345
                                 Director, Dept. of Economic Development

COUNTY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EFFORTS HELP TO ATTRACT THREE
NEW FIRMS AND TO RETAIN
PRINCIPAL HEALTH CARE, INC.            For Immediate Release:  August 6, 1996




     Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan announced today that three
new companies will be relocating to Montgomery County and a fourth, Principal
Health Care, Inc., will expand its presence here with the consolidation of a
new corporate headquarters complex.
     The three firms moving to Montgomery County include:
          Ernst & Young, one of the nation's "big six" accounting firms,
          which is opening a new high-tech division in North Bethesda.  The
          new division will have a staff of approximately 100 employees.
          Foster Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based economic consulting 
          firm, which is moving to Bethesda.  Foster has approximately 50
          employees.  
          MEDTAP International, Inc., an Arlington, Virginia-based
          international research firm, which is relocating to Bethesda.
          Currently, the firm employs a staff of 23, with expected growth to
          about 40 employees in the next three years. 
     Principal Health Care, a Rockville-based firm with more than 500
employees, will be moving into larger offices in North Bethesda, to accomodate
its expansion plans.
                                 - more -

DUNCAN ANNOUNCES ATTRACTION, RETENTION OF FOUR FIRMS                  2-2-2

     "Our aggressive economic development efforts are producing tremendous
results, as evidenced by these announcements," said Duncan.  "These are all
growing, first-class companies and we are delighted that they have chosen to
locate in Montgomery County."
     "Today's announcements are an indication of the fact that companies
recognize the value of Maryland and Montgomery County as a place to do
business," said Jim Brady, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business
and Economic Development.  "We will continue to work closely with County
Executive Duncan and his staff in our efforts to build upon these successes in
the future."
     "We roll out our welcome carpet to these new residents," said County
Councilmember William E. Hanna, Jr.  "They are just the kind of firms we need
-- strong and growing.  And, of course, we are very happy that Principal
Health Care has chosen to move forward with its consolidation in Montgomery
County.  We hope this announcement will act as a signal to other businesses
that we are the future."

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