County Executive Elrich Presents First Full CIP and FY 21 Capital Budget

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich released his recommended $4.23 billion Fiscal Years 2021-26 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and FY21 Capital Budget that will address major needs of the County over the next six years. The CIP was presented to the County Council, who will begin discussing it next month. Despite constrained resources, Elrich said the recommended CIP includes significant investments in public schools, Montgomery College, transportation, pedestrian safety, economic development, affordable housing, and climate change initiatives.

• View the Full CIP and FY21 Capital Budget
• Read the News Release
• Statement from Council President Sidney Katz

MLK Day of Service

Sign up for one of the multiple project sites to volunteer on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. In addition to the primary location at the Marriott Conference Center, there will be project sites in Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Olney, Germantown and more.

Make it a Day ON, Not a Day Off!

MLK Tribute and Celebration

Montgomery County’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute: Children of the Dream will take place on Monday, January 20 beginning at 4 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Tickets are available the day of the celebration in the Music Center foyer beginning at 3 p.m. Seating is general admission and one ticket will be distributed per person. Seating will begin at 3:30 p.m. See Press Release for more information. 

MoComCon

Montgomery County Public Libraries will host its fourth comic convention, MoComCon from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Silver Spring library branch located at 900 Wayne Ave. This free event will include a variety of presenters, workshops, programs, displays, exhibitors and cosplay (costume play, dressing up as a character) opportunities. Attendees must adhere to all MCPL Guidelines Governing the Use of Public Libraries and Guidelines for Behavior. No weapons, including replica and costume pieces, will be allowed inside of the event.

1776 at Greencourt Innovation Center

County Executive Marc Elrich toured the new “1776 at Greencourt Innovation Center," a facility designed to build a community of entrepreneurs in Montgomery County. Leading the visit were 1776 representatives Jennifer Maher, Shelton Mercer and Mark Lawrence. Tours for entrepreneurs interested in exploring 1776 are available here. View more photos here.

'Salt-Wise' Campaign Urges Homeowners to Use Salt After Storms

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Sidney Katz are helping lead an initiative of the Department of Environmental Protection to encourage homeowners to use less salt on sidewalks and driveways during winter storms. The “Salt-Wise” campaign emphasizes that using excessive salt is not more effective—but does lead to runoff into local streams and to the Chesapeake Bay. WSSCWater said it is difficult to filter all salt out of potential drinking water and that the salt content in the Potomac River has almost doubled over the past three decades. Learn more at MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/salt.

Summer Camps 2020

Got summer plans? Registration begins on Jan. 21 for Montgomery County Recreation and Montgomery Parks summer camps. View the Montgomery County Summer Camps Guide online today. 

Whiskey Rocks in Clarksburg

Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) hosted Whiskey Rocks, the largest event of its kind in Montgomery County, at the Clarksburg Village Liquor and Wine store. Despite the cold temperatures, hundreds of people lined up for the event overnight to make sure they had an opportunity to purchase hard to find whiskey products. County Executive Marc Elrich and ABS Director Bob Dorfman greeted customers and employees at the store. The daylong celebration featured tastings, engravings, bottle signings, educational seminars and an exclusive lunch at GrillMarx with Maker’s Mark Master Distiller Denny Potter. View more photos here.

January is Radon Action Month

Montgomery County is joining a nationwide effort in January to make residents aware of the dangers of radon gas. The County issued a proclamation that points out radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths in America among nonsmokers and that every home should be tested. At the ceremonies, from left: County Deputy Fire Chief John Kinsley; Fire Chief Scott Goldstein; Jeff Ganz of the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors, County Councilmember Craig Rice, Director of the Department of Environmental Protection Adam Ortiz and County Executive Marc Elrich. For more information on radon gas. 

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Changes regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Montgomery County took effect Dec. 31, 2019. For Information, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/adu or call 3-1-1. 

• Press Release

Community Livability Report 2019

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has released an independent survey commissioned by the County that shows residents rating Montgomery County with an increasingly positive feeling over the past 12 years as a desirable place to live, raise children, work, and enjoy a good quality of life. The survey gives high marks to most County services while indicating significant room for improvement in categories of a place to retire, affordable housing, affordable child care/preschool, traffic congestion, and public transportation.

• Read the release | View the Report

Coming to Silver Spring in 2020: Ana G. Méndez University

Ana G. Méndez University is consolidating its Capital area campus at Inventa Towers at One Discovery Place in Silver Spring. “It is gratifying that Ana G. Méndez saw the opportunity to expand here in the County,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “AGMU graduates are assets to our economy, and I am looking forward to having more of their talented students become a part of our local workforce.”

• Read the news release.