Dear Partners in Economic Growth:

The Montgomery County Department of Economic Development, in partnership with The Gazette of Politics and Business, is pleased to bring you this special section, filled with profiles of some of the County's leading businesses- companies that have chosen to start, relocate or expand in our community.

Montgomery County is the largest  employment center in the State of Maryland and the 2nd largest hub of well-paying jobs in the D.C. metropolitan area.  We are a thriving international community of more than one million highly educated people, with more PhDs than any other county in the country. Our higher  educational system boasts of such renowned institutions as Johns Hopkins University and the University System of Maryland.  Located next to the nation's capital, Montgomery County is home to 19 federal research and regulatory agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Companies like Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, United Therapeutics, Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation, and RNL Biostar have all recently expanded within the County. This past year, Montgomery County was selected by the State of Maryland to house both the Maryland Clean Energy Center and the Maryland Biotechnology Center.  The public-private collaboration emanating from these centers is helping to create jobs and grow these two vital sectors of our county's and region's economy.

Our thriving Montgomery County Business Innovation Network, now five facilities strong and still growing, has graduated over 90 companies that have created  nearly 1,800 jobs and occupy over 600,000 square feet of commercial space in the County.  We have recently unveiled an innovative Bioscience Strategy, which includes the introduction of legislation to create a Montgomery County biotechnology investment tax credit-- the first such local level biotech tax credit in the nation.

Montgomery County, Maryland remains, even in a tough economy, an ideal place to create, relocate or expand a business, and a great community in which to live, work, and raise a family.  A perfect mix of knowledge-based industries, cutting-edge businesses, and a sought-after exemplary quality of life is why nearly one   million residents and over 30,000 businesses call Montgomery County home.

Contact our Economic Development Director, Steve Silverman, at 240/777-2005 or at steve.silverman@montgomerycountymd.gov to learn why Montgomery County is the best location to grow your business.  New neighbors are always welcome!

Sincerely,

Isiah Leggett
Montgomery County Executive