SS/econ.pr            96-40            Contact:  David Edgerley, 301-217-2345
                                          or David Weaver, 301-217-6530
DUNCAN ANNOUNCES RECRUITMENT OF
NEW FIRM AND EXPANSION WITHIN
COUNTY OF FRESH FIELDS HEADQUARTERS     For Immediate Release:  Feb. 1, 1996



     "Montgomery County's efforts to compete more aggressively on the
economic development front are paying dividends," said County Executive
Douglas M. Duncan today, in announcing that a rapidly growing consulting firm
has recently moved into Bethesda and a prominent grocery store chain has
opened its new headquarters in Rockville.
     The Washington Consulting Group, a federal contractor which is
recognized as the world's largest trainer of air traffic controllers, has
moved to its new Bethesda corporate headquarters from its old location in
Washington, D.C.  Fresh Fields Markets, Inc., a fast growing grocery chain
which specializes in organic and natural foods, recently moved its corporate
headquarters from a smaller location to new, expanded office facilities on
Executive Boulevard in Rockville.  The two companies were the first to receive
assistance from Montgomery County's recently created Economic Development
Fund, which is administered by the County's Office of Economic Development.
     Duncan was joined at today's announcement by County Council Vice
President Marilyn Praisner, one of the sponsors of the legislation which
created the fund; and James Fielder, Deputy Secretary of the Maryland
Department of Business and Economic Development.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT                                             2-2-2

     "These are two very exciting companies and we're delighted that they
have chosen Montgomery County as their corporate home," said Duncan.  "My
administration is firmly committed to ensuring that Montgomery County remains
an attractive place to do business.  With federal cutbacks looming, we need to
work as hard as we can to recruit new businesses, and to nurture and support
the growth of our existing firms.  We are providing a business-friendly
atmosphere in Montgomery County and I think we're really starting to see the
payback."
     "The County Council is pleased that its initiative is achieving these
results," said Council Vice President Praisner.  "This is a win-win for
everyone.  We are committed to working with the State and the private sector
to attract and retain businesses in our county."
     "Today's announcement is an excellent example of how state and local
government can assist the private sector as they grow and prosper," said Jim
Brady, Secretary of Business and Economic Development for the State of
Maryland.  The State provided a training grant to Washington Consulting Group,
in addition to a grant from the County for relocation assistance.  
     "We're delighted with the assistance we've received from Montgomery
County in the move to the Washington Consulting Group's new Bethesda
headquarters," said Armando Chapelli, WCG President and founder.  Chapelli is
also the founder and publisher of El Tiempo Latino, one of the metropolitan
area's largest Latino newspapers.  "The County has certainly shown us it is
serious about business growth and that is a good sign for the local economy."

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT                                             3-3-3

     "Montgomery County was the birthplace of Fresh Fields -- there is no
place we would rather be," said Fresh Fields President Mark S. Ordan.  "There
are about 100 people who work in store support at the Fresh Fields corporate
offices and 400 other Fresh Fields associates who work in Montgomery County. 
All of us benefit from our beautiful new offices -- as do the many, many
customers who shop in our stores."
     Fresh Fields Markets, Inc.'s new 23,000-square-foot headquarters is
located at 6105 Executive Boulevard.  There are 21 Fresh Fields stores,
including three in Montgomery County (Bethesda, Gaithersburg and Rockville).
     The Washington Consulting Group, founded in 1979, is involved in non-
defense federal and state contracting, with a primary focus on aviation
technologies.  It employs approximately 400 people nationwide and 125 in the
Washington area.  WCG's new 15,000-square-foot headquarters at 4330 East West
Highway in Bethesda houses about 60 headquarters staff and consultants.
     Montgomery County's economic development fund, which was utilized to
provide assistance to the Washington Consulting Group and Fresh Fields, was
created via County legislation last October with an initial appropriation of
$1 million.
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