For Immediate Release: Friday, July 23, 2021
The Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee will meet virtually on Monday, July 26 at 9:30 a.m. to receive a briefing on Montgomery County’s Incubator Study and continue discussions on the County’s minority business engagement strategy and the Thrive Montgomery 2050 Draft Plan.
The members of the PHED Committee include Chair Hans Riemer and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.
At 1:30 p.m. the Council is scheduled to hold a closed session to discuss a personnel matter regarding specific individuals, consult with staff about potential litigation and discuss an investigative proceeding on possible criminal conduct, pursuant to Maryland Code, General Provisions, Article Sections 3-305(b)(1), (8) and (12).
The joint Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) and PHED Committee will also meet virtually at 2:30 p.m. to discuss Bill 3-21 - Special Taxing Area Laws - Silver Spring Business Improvement District Established, which would establish a business improvement district in Silver Spring.
The members of the GO Committee include Chair Nancy Navarro and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Sidney Katz.
Incubator study presentation and discussion
Briefing: The PHED Committee will receive a briefing and discuss the County’s Business Incubator Review and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Study. The County is home to many entrepreneurs and companies that develop new technologies and use these technologies to enable new products and services spanning a wide range of technical fields and markets. These companies create high-value jobs and bring wealth into the economy. The study recommends that the County design a system-wide approach for the County's entrepreneurs instead of a facility-focused approach while leveraging partnerships to increase the number of active entrepreneurs, supporting entrepreneurs from idea generation to long-term growth and creating pathways for them to succeed.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Jerome Fletcher, assistant chief administrative officer, Office of the County Executive (CEX); Ruth Semple, CEX; Dr. Gary Evans, CEO, Axcel Innovation, LLC; Ben Wu, president and CEO, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC); Bill Tompkins, executive vice president and COO, MCEDC; Brad Stewart, senior vice president of business development, MCEDC.
Minority business engagement strategy
Discussion: The Committee will continue to discuss the County’s minority business engagement strategy with members of the County’s Black Business Council and other business and community leaders.
The discussion will focus on initiatives to support businesses of color and women-owned businesses in the County and the roles and responsibilities of various partners in the creation and implementation of these initiatives.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Jerome Fletcher, assistant chief administrative officer, Office of the County Executive (CEX); Judy Stephenson, small business navigator, CEX; Daniel Koroma, business liaison officer, CEX; Dr. Drena Valentine, Montgomery County Black Business Council; Tony Parchment, Montgomery County Black Business Council; Cherri Branson, vice president, NAACP; Ken White, Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce; Kim Jones, CEO, Nonprofit Village; Ben Wu, president and CEO, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC); Bill Tompkins, executive vice president and COO, MCEDC; Brad Stewart, senior vice president of business development, MCEDC; Daniel Parra, director of business diversity and inclusion, MCEDC; Herman Taylor, president, Minority Business Economic Council.
Review: The Committee will also continue to review the Thrive Montgomery 2050 Draft Plan which is a framework to guide planning for land use, housing, the economy, equity, transportation, parks and open space, the environment, historic resources, urban design and arts and culture over the next three decades.
The recommendations will provide guidance for future master plans, county and state capital improvement processes and other public and private initiatives that influence land use and planning in Montgomery County.
For additional background information on Thrive Montgomery 2050 visit Montgomery Planning.
Bill 3-21, Special Taxing Area Laws – Silver Spring Business Improvement District – Established
Review: The joint GO and PHED committee will meet to review Bill 3-21, which would establish a business improvement district in Silver Spring. The bill would establish guidelines for the district, authorize a district corporation and authorize a tax on nonexempt property located in the district to finance the operations of the district corporation. The goal of this bill is to improve public services and facilities in the Silver Spring Urban District.
The lead sponsors are Councilmember Riemer and County President Hucker. Councilmembers Friedson, Katz, Navarro and Rice are cosponsors.
The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
The virtual Council and Committee meetings will be streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.
Release ID: 21-310