Montgomery County Council President Nancy Navarro announces new Economic Development Platform with County Executive Marc Elrich, Councilmembers and business and community leaders
Press conference on Nov. 12 in Rockville at 11 a.m.
ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 11, 2019—Montgomery County Council President Nancy Navarro will be joined by County Executive Marc Elrich, Councilmembers, and business and community leaders for a press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. at the Council Office Building (100 Maryland Ave., fourth floor) in Rockville to announce a new County Economic Development Platform that is focused on business development, housing, transportation, and workforce development. In addition, at the Council’s Nov. 12 meeting at 1 p.m. Council President Navarro will introduce a resolution to unify and formalize the Council’s focus on economic development.
The Economic Development Platform Resolution is a guiding document that identifies a thriving and diversified economy, greater innovation, racial equity and social justice, and environmental sustainability as desired outcomes. 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.
“We stand united as a government that is laser focused on reinvigorating Montgomery County’s economic development efforts to achieve a thriving and diversified economy in our community,” said Council President Nancy Navarro, who is chair of the Council’s Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee and serves on the Education and Culture Committee. “We must elevate and leverage the intellectual, business, and cultural assets that make our community an outstanding place to establish and grow businesses across all sectors. Advancing our economic development goals includes making strategic investments in business development, housing, transportation, and workforce development because all of these areas are critical for the long-term success of our County and our community members.”
The platform highlights decreasing the cost of doing business, promoting local businesses and a positive business climate, attracting and retaining strategic industries, and expanding entrepreneurial programs as key areas. Expanding workforce development structures to meet the needs of businesses and residents across the entire workforce development continuum is also an essential component of the platform.
Once the Economic Development Platform Resolution is passed by the Council on Nov. 19, each Council committee will develop action items for each pillar of the Economic Development Platform and report back to the full Council with recommendations on potential budget, regulatory, and policy changes or legislative measures that are focused on enhancing the County’s economic growth.
“Working towards the established goals of the Economic Development Platform will enhance our ability to attract the innovators and business investment necessary to sustain the programs, services, and amenities that make our County an extraordinary community,” said Council President Navarro. “The entire Council has united to develop these goals, and each of us are committed to addressing obstacles that can prohibit business establishment, growth and retention. My hope is that the Economic Development Platform Resolution sends 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.
