For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 13, 2019
From the Office of Council President Nancy Navarro
Overarching goals of the platform include growing the County’s tax base, creating new business opportunities, and removing regulatory barriers for businesses
ROCKVILLE, Md.,—On Nov. 12 Montgomery County Council President Nancy Navarro introduced a new County Economic Development Platform resolution focused on business development, housing, transportation, and workforce development. The goal of the resolution is to institutionalize a strategic economic framework that enables a focused and disciplined implementation of the County’s economic initiatives. Adopting this platform is an important step to emphasize the fact that Montgomery County is a great place for business. Council President Navarro is the lead sponsor of the resolution, and all other Councilmembers are cosponsors. Council President Navarro’s remarks on this new initiative are below.
I just want to thank everyone of you here today. The energy in this room affirms the vision behind the creation of an Economic Development Platform for our county. The message today is clear. We are a great County and a great place to do business, but we are here to say, come on down, we will make Montgomery County even friendlier to all business.
We are seeking to strengthen an already thriving business environment that is focused on fostering innovation, producing good paying jobs for residents, and improving the overall quality of life for all our community members.
The good news is that we have plenty of assets; but it’s critical to have a framework and a coherent strategy to leverage these assets.
Working with key leaders and with the blessing of my colleagues, I have created the Economic Development Platform, which we will adopt via resolution to unify and formalize our work. This is a guiding document that identifies a thriving and diversified economy, greater innovation, racial equity and social justice, and environmental sustainably as desired outcomes. This platform is focused on four pillars: business development, housing, transportation, and workforce development.
Committees will be busy developing action plans under each pillar by February 11, 2020. Of course the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee will be doing most of the work, and I appreciate Councilmember Riemer, Councilmember Friedson and Councilmember Jawando’s dedication to this work.
Our neighbors in Prince George’s County, Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia are all making strides to expand their tax base and attract jobs. Montgomery County must also step up to the plate to create a welcoming climate for the business we want to attract that will help us raise the revenue to provide the amenities our residents deserve.
Prince George’s County has an abundance of inexpensive land and has declared they are ready to open their doors to development. Washington D.C. has a constant line of developers and businesses looking to locate and invest there, which gives them the flexibility to make investments in other areas. Northern Virginia has landed Amazon, which will be a boom to their economy.
While we hope that some of this regional success will have a multiplier effect and benefit Montgomery County, we must also begin to re-align ourselves to attract similar businesses, and make sure we retain the ones that already proudly call Montgomery County home.
The entire Council has united to develop these goals and all of us are committed to addressing obstacles that can prohibit business establishment, growth, and retention.
We will be working closely with our County Executive on implementing the Economic Develop Platform. As a united team, we are sending a clear message to businesses of all sizes and entrepreneurs at home and abroad that Montgomery County truly is open for business.
The full text of the Economic Development Platform Resolution can be viewed here.
Council President Navarro’s remarks can be viewed here.
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