Amanda Bosland, Author at Rockville Economic Development, Inc

Montgomery County Government, State and Local Partners Announce Coalition to Support Maryland Businesses and Employees Affected by Federal Budget Cuts

This Public-Private Initiative will include the launch of a microsite compiling a list of resources and tools available to businesses and employees.

Montgomery County, Md., Mar. 24, 2025 – Montgomery County officials and key partners announced the formation of a strategic Public-Private initiative aimed at strengthening the local economy and supporting local businesses and employees affected by recent federal budget cuts.

The coalition, Mobilize Montgomery, includes Montgomery County Government, Maryland Department of Labor, WorkSource Montgomery, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Gaithersburg, the City of Rockville, Rockville Chamber of Commerce, the Maryland Women’s Business Center and Rockville Economic Development, Inc, as well as additional local chambers.

“Montgomery County has long been home to thousands of federal workers and businesses that rely on federal contracts, and in this time of cuts and chaos from the federal government, those impacts can ripple through our economy,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Through Mobilize Montgomery, we are collaborating with private and public partners to provide resources and information to our residents. We are working together to help businesses stay open, keep people employed, and strengthen our local economy.”

Through its newly created microsite, www.mobilize-montgomery.com, the coalition will serve as a centralized resource hub ensuring that businesses, employees, and residents have access to critical information and support they need during this challenging time. Designed to be a one-stop shop for resources, the microsite will feature webinars, job posting websites and business incentives available to the public. Additionally, the microsite will allow local businesses to express their interest in participating in relevant events, as well as give interested employees the option of being notified of updated resources and upcoming events.

“The drastic federal funding cuts and layoffs from the Trump Administration are directly impacting our residents and forcing contractors and small businesses to scrap projects and announce layoffs due to unpaid invoices and the elimination of federal support,” said Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart. “Montgomery County is home to more than 77,000 dedicated and hard-working federal employees, and County leaders are committed to supporting our residents, federal contractors, and businesses during these uncertain and economically challenging times. This new collaboration among government and business leaders and workforce development organizations will provide guidance, resources, and support to help deal with the impact that these draconian federal cuts are having on our federal contractors and local businesses that fuel our economic engine.”

As Montgomery County braces for additional federal budget cuts, Mobilize Montgomery is committed to working with Maryland Governor Wes Moore to provide support to our businesses and workforce, ensuring that Maryland’s economy remains resilient and vibrant.

For more information about the initiative or to access available resources, please visit www.mobilize-montgomery.com.

About Montgomery County Government

Montgomery County, Maryland, is the largest county in the State of Maryland with over 1.1 million residents. Bordering the District of Columbia, and directly across the Potomac River from Northern Virginia, Montgomery County is home to 18 federal agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as well as the headquarters to over 700 companies. The county offers a unique ecosystem rich in talent, groundbreaking discoveries, and a vibrant community dedicated to sustainability and bold thinking. With 40% of residents speaking a language other than English and a third of the population born outside the U.S., Montgomery County embraces diversity. This inclusive environment fosters a rich tapestry of perspectives, providing an ideal location for businesses to thrive, innovate and flourish.

Maryland Women’s Business Center Welcomes Karen Sippel as New Managing Director

Sippel’s career is rooted in supporting small businesses, particularly women-owned enterprises.

Rockville, Md., Feb. 4, 2025 –The Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC), a program of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI), is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Sippel as its new Managing Director effective February 4, 2025. With a career spanning entrepreneurship, nonprofit leadership, and strategic communications, Sippel brings a wealth of experience to MWBC as it continues to empower entrepreneurs across Maryland.

“We are thrilled to welcome Karen to MWBC,” said Cynthia Rivarde, CEO of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. “Her experience designing and leading training program for women entrepreneurs, combined with her background in marketing, nonprofit management, and fundraising, makes her a tremendous asset to our organization and the businesses we serve.”

Sippel’s career is rooted in supporting small businesses, particularly women-owned enterprises. As co-founder and managing director of the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC), she led a capacity-building program that empowered 200 business owners annually across 52 African countries to level-up their skills, increase revenue, and hire more employees. She has also founded and operated multiple businesses, including a professional services firm and a wholesale bakery, the latter of which she opened after earning a pastry arts certificate from a Washington, D.C.-area culinary school.

In addition to her work in entrepreneurship, Sippel has held senior leadership roles in communications, marketing, and fundraising at tech startups, nonprofits, and global public affairs firms. She has served as a senior executive at The Center for Global Enterprise, Personal (a startup focused on online privacy that was later acquired by Digi.Me), and major public relations and marketing agencies such as Porter Novelli, Merritt Group, and Burson-Marsteller.

With a deep passion for entrepreneurship, Sippel is eager to lead MWBC into its next chapter. “Coming from a multi-generational family of business owners, I have a deep affinity for those who take the leap to start and grow their own businesses,” said Sippel. “I understand the challenges entrepreneurs face, and I’m honored to step into this role at MWBC to continue supporting small businesses across Maryland.”

Sippel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Virginia. She also serves as a mentor to women entrepreneurs, providing guidance through AWEC’s year-long capacity-building program.

About Maryland Women’s Business Center

Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) is a signature program of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. MWBC helps entrepreneurs and small businesses owners across Maryland’s Capital Region start, sustain, and grow their companies. Through workshops, individual counseling, facilitated peer group support, special resources, and access to capital, MWBC annually helps over 1,500 entrepreneurs gain the skills, connections, and confidence necessary to navigate entrepreneurship. Learn more at marylandwbc.org.

Media Contact
Amanda Bosland, Marketing & Communications Director, REDI – amanda@rockvilleredi.org

Rockville’s metropolitan area named one of the best-performing in the U.S. for 2025

The Milken Institute's 2025 Best Performing Cities index ranks a total of 403 cities split between small and large cities

Article originally published by Bethesda Magazine on January 20, 2025.

The metropolitan area including Silver Spring, Rockville and Frederick ranked No. 123 out of 200 large cities included in The Milken Institute’s 2025 Best Performing Cities index after making small improvements in employment and wages, according to a report released Jan. 14 from the nonpartisan think tank.

The area’s 2025 ranking is an improvement from the 2024 ranking at No. 147, but a decrease from the No. 100 ranking in 2023. The metropolitan area, which includes Montgomery and Frederick counties, ranked in the fourth tier out of five of the index’s Best Performing Cities.

According to its website, the Milken Institute’s 2025 Best Performing Cities index ranks a total of 403 cities, split between small and large cities, using 13 metrics, including labor market conditions, high-tech industry growth and access to economic opportunities, to create its annual ranking.

According to the institute’s data, the area including Silver Spring, Rockville and Frederick saw a 1.3% increase in job growth from 2022 to 2023. The area also saw a 4.8% wage increase from 2022 to 2023. Short-term job growth from July 2023 to July 2024 was 0.4%.

When considering access to economic opportunity, 95.5% of households in the area have broadband internet and 70% have affordable housing, according to the institute’s data.

The neighboring Washington, D.C., metro area ranked No. 62 among large cities in 2025, an improvement from No. 134 in 2023 and No. 98 in 2024. The top-ranked large city was Raleigh, North Carolina, followed by the Ogden-Clearfield area and Salt Lake City, both in Utah. The top small cities included Gainesville, Georgia, and St. George in Utah.

Link to article: https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/01/20/silver-spring-rockville-ranked-best-performing-cities/

Comstock announces affordable housing project for Rockville development site

The property, located adjacent to Metro’s Rockville Station on the Red Line, will be branded as Momentum @ Rockville Station and is slated to deliver well over 100 affordable housing units to the community.

Reston, Va., Nov. 20, 2024 – Comstock Holding Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHCI) (“Comstock” or the “Company”), a leading asset manager, developer, and operator of mixed-use and transit-oriented properties in the Washington, D.C. region, announced today that it is partnering with SCG Development Holdings, LLC (“SCG”) to form a joint venture that will develop an affordable housing project located on land currently owned by Comstock at 41 Maryland Avenue in Rockville, Md. (“Comstock 41”). The property, located adjacent to Metro’s Rockville Station on the Red Line, will be branded as Momentum @ Rockville Station and is slated to deliver well over 100 affordable housing units to the community.

“The City of Rockville is working to expand housing options to help support the everyday heroes of our community, including teachers, firefighters, police offices, health professional staff, and other people who help our city, county, and state run,” said Monique Ashton, Mayor of Rockville. “We look forward to working with this joint venture [Comstock and SCG] to create more high-quality, transit-oriented, affordable housing that provides a safe place for residents to thrive.”

SCG is a respected leader in affordable housing development that specializes in community-centered housing solutions. They have been involved in the successful development of more than 100 properties across the United States, including Momentum @ Shady Grove, a similar affordable housing project developed by SCG and Comstock that sits adjacent to the Shady Grove Metro station and was delivered in 2020.

Comstock and SCG entered into a definitive purchase agreement for Comstock 41, which was acquired by a subsidiary of Comstock in late 2023 for approximately $1.5 million. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, Comstock and SCG will enter into an operating agreement and a development agreement, under which Comstock will provide development management services to the joint venture. The Company will also be entitled to provide property management services once the development is ready for occupancy. The Comstock 41 transaction is expected to close upon approval of the construction plans by the City of Rockville. Financing will be arranged by SCG once the plans are approved.

“SCG is excited to announce the launch of Momentum at Rockville Station, which is currently in the planning and entitlement stages,” said Steven P. Wilson, President, SCG Development. “The development will provide much-needed affordable housing that is close to retail and office space and walkable to the Rockville Metro Station. As we navigate the planning and approval process, we are fully committed to collaborating with Comstock and local government officials to ensure the project’s success.”

Comstock and SCG will work closely together with the City of Rockville to secure approvals needed to maximize the number of affordable units the joint venture will deliver to the heart of Rockville Town Center. This adheres to the project’s vision to meet the City of Rockville’s growing housing needs and underscores the ongoing commitment of Comstock and SCG to provide accessibility to affordable, transit-oriented housing options that help foster community growth.

“We are thrilled to once again partner with SCG to deliver more high-quality, transit-oriented, affordable housing to Montgomery County’s fast-growing population,” said Christopher Clemente, Comstock’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Set alongside BLVD Forty Four and BLVD Ansel, Momentum @ Rockville Station will further expand Comstock’s footprint in the vibrant Rockville Town Center neighborhood. We’re helping to address the need for affordable transit-oriented housing.”

About Comstock

Founded in 1985, Comstock is a leading asset manager, developer, and operator of mixed-use and transit-oriented properties in the Washington, D.C. region. With a managed portfolio comprising approximately 10 million square feet at full build-out and including stabilized and development assets strategically located at key Metro stations, Comstock is at the forefront of the urban transformation taking place in the fastest-growing segments of one of the nation’s best real estate markets. Comstock’s developments include some of the largest and most prominent mixed-use and transit-oriented projects in the mid-Atlantic region, as well as multiple large-scale public-private partnership developments. For more information visit https://comstock.com/

View original press release: https://ir.comstockcompanies.com/news/news-details/2024/Comstock-Announces-Affordable-Housing-Project-for-Rockville-Development-Site/default.aspx

Rockville Economic Development, Inc. seeks Managing Director for Maryland Women’s Business Director

The Maryland Women's Business Center hosts more than 120 workshops a year, interacting with more than 1,600 clients through its various services and programs.

Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) is seeking a qualified and experienced candidate for the position of Managing Director for the Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC).

The Managing Director for the Maryland Women’s Business Center reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer for the Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI). The MWBC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, as well as other Federal and local funding sources, including hosting more than 120 workshops a year, interacting with more than 1,600 clients through its various services and programs. The Managing Director, responsible for overseeing an annual budget of $1M and leading a staff of seven, plus other contractors and volunteers, will facilitate the daily operations of the Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) in Rockville, Bowie, and a satellite location in Frederick.

Details of the position responsibilities and job requirements are included in the job description (PDF) posted here: Managing Director – Maryland Women’s Business Center job description.

To apply, qualified candidates should submit their résumé with cover letter indicating interest via email to HR@rockvilleredi.org. Application review begins on December 20, 2024.

AstraZeneca invests $3.5 billion in R&D and manufacturing in the United States

Investment includes $300 million manufacturing facility in Rockville set to open in 2026

Article originally published by CoStar on November 12, 2024

AstraZeneca plans to invest $3.5 billion by the end of 2026 to expand its research and manufacturing operations across the United States.

The United Kingdom-based pharmaceutical giant said Tuesday its capital commitment to the expansion includes $2 billion in new investment.

“By expanding our R&D and manufacturing footprint, we aim to enhance the development of cutting-edge therapies and support the United States leadership in healthcare innovation,” AstraZeneca’s CEO Pascal Soriot said in a statement.

The company’s plan to expand comes as demand in the U.S. for life science space, including lab, research and development, and other biotech facilities, shows signs of increasing. The sector had surged early in the pandemic then slowed dramatically as capital markets tightened and venture capitalists looked elsewhere to make investments.

With the recent addition of 3 million square feet of life science space to the sublease market, the sector’s overall availability is 30% and rents are down 9%, according to JLL’s recently released 2024 Life Sciences Real Estate Perspective and Cluster Analysis.

The company said its expansion plans include an R&D facility at Kendall Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts; a biologics manufacturing facility in Maryland; and properties involved in cell therapy manufacturing on the West and East coasts and specialty manufacturing in Texas.

AstraZeneca’s exact plans, including how much commercial property it would add, have not been disclosed in detail. In February, the company said it would invest $300 million in a manufacturing facility in Rockville, Maryland. It is expected to be operating by 2026.

AstraZeneca has said there is increased demand for its medicines across its work in oncology, biopharmaceuticals and rare diseases, driving a financial growth trajectory.

The move is the first step to achieving $80 billion in total revenue by 2030, it added. The company’s global media relations team did not immediately respond to CoStar News’ email request for comment.

The investment would add more than 1,000 jobs to the roughly 17,800 employees currently working across 17 research and development, manufacturing and commercial sites in 12 states, according to the firm.

Details on the healthcare property investment came the same day the company said its third-quarter total revenue grew 21% and core earnings per share were up 27% from the prior-year period.

“Growth looks set to continue through 2025,” the company said.

Link to article: https://www.costar.com/article/10531341/astrazeneca-plans-35-billion-expansion-of-research-manufacturing-operations-across-us

BioHub Maryland opens new biopharma Workforce Training Center in Rockville

The new 8,200 SF skills training center equips workers to accelerate Maryland's Life Sciences industry

BioHub Maryland, an initiative to accelerate life sciences in the state, today officially opened a new state-of-the-art biopharmaceutical workforce training center at 9808 Medical Center Drive in Rockville. Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller and Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich joined life sciences industry leaders to open the training center on October 24.

Located in one of the nation’s top life sciences hubs, the 8,200-square-foot BioHub Maryland Training and Education Center at Montgomery County unlocks career opportunities for Marylanders and builds the diverse and skilled workforce needed to advance Maryland’s global life sciences leadership.

The BioHub Maryland Training and Education Center at Montgomery County provides hands-on technical training to current life sciences workers, military Veterans and Marylanders who may not have college degrees in a multifunctional facility designed to simulate a real-world biopharma manufacturing setting.

Trainees gain skills such as aseptic techniques and manufacturing recombinant proteins, vaccines, and cell and gene therapies, and essential practices like Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Documentation Practice (GDP).

The BioHub Maryland Training and Education Center at Montgomery County is made possible through a $3 million investment by Montgomery County. Additionally, the Moore-Miller Administration has provided $1.25 million in operational and capital support to BioHub Maryland since taking office.

The BioHub Maryland Training and Education Center is the only training center in the National Capital Region to feature globally trusted curricula from the National Institute of Bioprocessing Training and Research (NIBRT), an international leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing training and research.

BioHub Maryland is a skills-first workforce development initiative of the Maryland Tech Council (MTC), the state’s largest life sciences and technology trade association. Its mission is to accelerate the growth of the life sciences industry by expanding the state’s biopharma manufacturing talent pipeline.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich stated, “The BioHub Maryland Training and Education Center at Montgomery County is an exciting opportunity to create local jobs and expand our county’s life sciences leadership. Our investment enables job seekers of all educational backgrounds to gain in-demand biopharma skills in a cutting-edge training environment while providing employers the skilled workforce they need to advance the medical innovations that patients around the world depend on.”

Maryland Tech Council Chief Executive Officer Kelly Schulz stated, “The BioHub Maryland Training and Education Center at Montgomery County will set the standard for excellence in life science talent development. We are building the biopharma workforce of the future in Rockville and our doors are open to Marylanders of all educational backgrounds. We are grateful to Montgomery County for their leadership in making this training center possible, and to the Moore-Miller Administration for their critical operations support since taking office.”

Life sciences is a high-paying career option for job seekers who may not have college degrees. One out of every three life sciences job openings in Maryland does not require a Bachelor’s degree, and average annual life sciences incomes are 87% higher than those of other industries in Maryland.

Maryland hosts 2,700 life sciences companies and 54,000 industry workers and, as part of the BioHealth Capital Region, is ranked the nation’s #3 biopharma cluster. Montgomery County is a life sciences leader, hosting a dense concentration of companies, research institutions, and federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration.

About BioHub Maryland

BioHub Maryland is accelerating the life sciences industry for companies and career seekers to expand the state’s global innovation advantage. An award-winning initiative of the Maryland Tech Council, the largest technology and life sciences trade association in the state, BioHub Maryland helps residents of all backgrounds pursue rewarding careers in life sciences by offering skills training, career resources, and access to 1,200+ job openings in life sciences. BioHub Maryland also helps life sciences companies at every stage grow by showcasing their career opportunities, training the next generation of life sciences talent, and providing strategic resources for raising capital. Learn more at biohubmaryland.com

New Biohealth Hub set to advance biotechnology innovation and drive economic growth

Biohealth Hub will offer access to essential resources such as funding, talent, and state-of-the-art laboratory space.

Montgomery County, Md., Oct. 18 2024 – The opening of the Biohealth Hub @ Greencourt Innovation Center (“Biohealth Hub”) was celebrated with a special ceremony that brought together public officials, a diverse group of innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, community leaders, and stakeholders from Maryland’s life sciences and biotechnologies community. The event marked a significant milestone with the Biohealth Hub set to play a central role in advancing biotechnology innovation, and breakthroughs and driving economic growth.

Co-founder Bei Ma delivered the opening remarks, expressing her excitement about the hub’s launch and its mission to transform the life sciences landscape in the region. “It’s an honor to welcome you all to the opening of the Biohealth Hub,” said Ma. “Today’s opening is a significant step in powering the next generation of entrepreneurs who will shape the future of medicine. At Biohealth Hub, our mission is clear: to provide unparalleled access to the key resources that drive success—capital, talent, and state-of-the-art lab space.” She outlined the vision for the hub as the “easy button” for life sciences companies, facilitating seamless connections to funding, expertise, talent, and facilities to accelerate innovation.

Following Bei Ma’s remarks, Secretary of State, Susan Lee, congratulated the Biohealth Hub in its launching at Greencourt Innovation Center, where co-founders Stephany Yu and Bei Ma hosted an inspiring evening of innovation, collaboration, and celebration in the life sciences community.

Secretary Lee highlighted the crucial role that life sciences and biotechnologies play in Maryland’s economy and its growing reputation as a hub for scientific excellence. “Maryland’s biohealth industry is not just a vital part of our economy, but also a source of breakthroughs that will improve lives around the world. This new Hub will create an ecosystem where startups, researchers, and established companies can work side by side to tackle some of the most pressing health challenges of our time,” she continued. Secretary Lee concluded by expressing optimism about the future impact of the Biohealth Hub. “The journey of transforming ideas into life-changing solutions requires not only expertise but also an ecosystem that nurtures creativity and accelerates growth. With the launch of the Biohealth Hub, we are taking a significant step towards cultivating the next wave of biotech innovations, right here in Maryland.”

Maryland Montgomery County Executive, Marc Elrich, in his remarks, emphasized the strategic significance of the Biohealth Hub for the region’s economic development and the advancement of public health. “Montgomery County has long been a leader in life sciences, and today, with the opening of the Biohealth Hub, we’re adding another important piece to our ecosystem,” said Elrich, “with the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and numerous biotech companies headquartered here, Montgomery County is already at the forefront of biomedical research and innovation. The Biohealth Hub will enhance our ability to attract and retain top talent and investment, further solidifying our place as a global leader in this sector.”

The event included a roundtable introduction session with representatives from government agencies, investors, life sciences companies, and professional service providers discussed the industry’s future, including:

Bill Tompkins, President and CEO – Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC)
Jean-luc Park, Senior Director of Social Impact Funds – Maryland TEDCO
Cindy Rivarde, CEO – Rockville Econiomic Development Inc. (REDI)
Richelle Wilson, Deputy Director – REDI
Marji Graf, President & CEO – Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce
John Mumm, President & CEO – Deka Biosciences
Pavel Khrimian, Co-founder & CBO – Deka Biosciences
Roger Nakazawa, Olympia Holdings
Vijay Lakshman, Brilliant Inc.
Daozhan Yu, President and CEO – AAVnerGene
Anthony Millin, Next Chair, Partner – Shulman Rogers
Jimmy Lu, Founder – Neomics
Randy Xu, Co-founder and CSO – ARV Technologies

Biohealth Hub is now positioned as a central hub for Maryland’s biotechnology ecosystem, catalyzing collaboration, research, and commercialization efforts. With its unique approach and strategic location at the Greencourt Innovation Center, the hub is set to attract top talent, investment, and cutting-edge research to the region.

About Biohealth Hub

The Biohealth Hub @ Greencourt Innovation Center is a premier innovation space dedicated to advancing life sciences and biotechnology in Maryland. The hub offers a collaborative environment where startups, researchers, and investors come together to foster growth in life sciences, biotechnologies, medical devices, and digital health. Learn more at https://biohealthhub.net/

Visit Montgomery announces launch of MoCo Eats Food & Beverage Showcase

The new initiative will bring the food & beverage industry and its suppliers together, and includes opportunities for both businesses and consumers to connect

Rockville, MD, Oct. 9, 2024 – Visit Montgomery is pleased to announce the launch of the MoCo Eats Food & Beverage Showcase scheduled for March 30 & 31, 2025, at the Hilton Rockville, Maryland.

Montgomery County, Maryland, is home to a robust hospitality and tourism sector, serving as a major workforce hub and think tank for the industry. Global leaders such as Marriott International, Ritz Carlton, Choice Hotels International, Inc., and Sodexo all have their headquarters in the county. Montgomery County has over 900 restaurants, 30,000 small businesses, and over one million residents of culturally diverse backgrounds.

“Montgomery County has always been a place where innovation and culture come together, and the MoCo Eats Food & Beverage Showcase is a perfect example of that,” said County Executive Marc Elrich “This event not only celebrates our diverse food scene, but it will also support the local businesses that make our community thrive. I’m excited to see how this showcase will help drive our economy forward by spotlighting the talent and creativity that Montgomery County is known for.”

Visit Montgomery through this new initiative; MoCo Eats Food & Beverage Showcase will provide an opportunity for business and consumer connections. The event will bring the food & beverage industry and its suppliers together to learn more about new products, and participate in panel discussions and other educational breakout sessions. The conference agenda will include breakout sessions on topics relative to the needs of the industry, student-to-business open forums, and exchanges and opportunities for peer-to-peer discussions. Attendees will be invited to enjoy food and beverage tastings, learn more about local and regional products, and purchase items.

“The MoCo Eats Food & Beverage Showcase not only celebrates our county’s cultural diversity through food but also strengthens our commitment to education and workforce development,” said Andrew Friedson, Montgomery County Council President. “By partnering with Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College’s hospitality programs, this event provides students with hands-on experience and direct exposure to industry leaders. It’s an exciting opportunity to foster the next generation of culinary talent.”

Montgomery College and Montgomery County Public Schools hospitality program students will have a chance to help as volunteers, and participate in breakout sessions and cooking demonstrations. Visit Montgomery is also collaborating with the MoCo Food Council and the Restaurant Association of Maryland for the Showcase.

Invited vendors include food trucks, caterers, breweries, wineries, distilleries, locally made artisans and food products, event venues, and any suppliers to the hospitality industry businesses in Montgomery County, MD. The goal of the showcase is to:

Engage the hospitality industry suppliers in a business expo format with the local entertainment venues, event venues, hotels, retailers, breweries and wineries, and restaurant operators/owners to connect their business and workforce needs with solutions in a trade show and educational format.
Promote the county’s social economy by introducing and showcasing local flavor and entrepreneurial spirit in a consumer-attended expo that celebrates Montgomery County’s diversity through cuisine and beverage tastings (food trucks, restaurants, wineries, and breweries).

“By bringing together industry leaders, local businesses, and our community, this showcase highlights the exceptional talent in our region and reinforces Montgomery County’s position as a premier destination for culinary innovation. We are proud to lead this initiative that will shape the future of our hospitality sector,” said Kelly Groff, President & CEO of Visit Montgomery.

Join this exciting celebration of Montgomery County’s hospitality industry. Keep up to date for more information at MoCoEats.com.

Sign up to be notified when vendor registration is open.

Sign up to be notified when attendee ticket sales are open.

For sponsorship information, click here.

For more information about the event and to RSVP, please email Joe Doran, Community Engagement and Partnership Manager, jdoran@visitmontgomery.com.

About Visit Montgomery

Visit Montgomery’s mission is to market and develop the county and its communities as a preferred destination for group and individual travel, thereby fostering economic growth and quality of place through tourism. Visit Montgomery is a 501 (c) 6 non-profit organization with an oversight by a volunteer board of directors. Learn more at visitmontgomery.com

MilliporeSigma opens new €290 million biosafety testing facility in Rockville

The new €290 million ($317 million) 23,000 SF facility streamlines MilliporeSigma's operations and is expected to bring new jobs to Rockville

Burlington, MA, Oct. 9, 2024 – MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has opened its new €290 million biosafety testing facility in Rockville, Maryland, USA. Biosafety testing and analytical development are fundamental components of drug development and commercialization for traditional and novel modalities. Global demand for these services is growing at a double-digit rate¹.

“This expansion is the largest investment in contract testing in the company’s history and will allow us to drive automation and technology development in one integrated hub,” said Benjamin Hein, Head of Life Science Services, Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “It reflects our commitment to providing our clients with disruptive platforms that shorten biosafety testing timelines, meet the growing global demand, and ensure the safety of the world’s medicines for patients.”

The 23,000-square-meter facility will house biosafety testing, analytical development, and cell banking manufacturing services. It consolidates labs currently spread across four buildings into a single facility. This will increase collaboration between scientists and enable a higher level of automation and digitalization to increase Right First Time (RFT).

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has made significant investments over the last five years to expand its biosafety testing capabilities for clients across the globe. The company’s global biosafety testing network includes sites in Shanghai, China; Singapore; Stirling and Glasgow, UK; and Rockville, MD, USA.

The new site will feature advanced testing capabilities, including a rapid methods package, designed to accelerate virus testing of bulk harvest material. This package is the first to include the Blazar^® CHO Animal Origin Free (AOF) panel, a targeted molecular method for detecting virus families. By combining the Blazar^® CHO AOF panel with assays for mycoplasma, sterility, and retrovirus-like particle detection, test results can be obtained in just 14 days, compared to 35 days with traditional assay methods.

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, offers a broad multi-modality testing portfolio, which features disruptive platforms that reduce biosafety testing timelines and deliver the highest quality standards. The portfolio includes a rapid methods package with the Blazar^® CHO AOF panel, and the recently launched Aptegra™ platform, the first all-in-one, validated genetic stability assay of its kind. These innovations will enable the company to continue delivering high-quality testing services and regulatory expertise to bring life-changing medicines to patients more quickly and safely.

About the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has more than 27,000 employees and more than 55 total manufacturing and testing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products focused on scientific discovery, biomanufacturing and testing services. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics.

Around 63,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2023, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of € 21 billion in 65 countries. Learn more at https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en

¹ https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/biological-safety-testing-market

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Link to press release: https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/collections/press/new-biosafety-facility-rockville-md

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Author: Amanda Bosland