Rockville has scored 100 marks for the city’s commitment to the health, welfare, safety and equality of its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. 

This is the city’s eighth year of participation in the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Municipal Equality Index (MEI) and the 14^th year for MEI’s annual report. 

Rockville scored 99 out of 100, plus an additional bonus point, for its nondiscrimination laws, law enforcement, employment and workplace inclusivity, leadership and services to the LGBTQ+ community. Final scores cannot exceed 100. 

The HRC framed this year’s results against a challenging national backdrop, underscoring the work of local governments supporting their LGBTQ+ residents.  

“Cities and towns around the country are stepping up each and every day, finding new and innovative ways to empower LGBTQ+ people in the face of a dire national state of emergency. Even when anti-LBGTQ+ extremists in state capitals are working to undermine their progress, mayors and city councilmembers keep fighting to make sure that LGBTQ+ people in their communities — especially trans people — are supported and lifted up to the fullest extent possible,” stated HRC president Kelley Robinson. 

The 2025 MEI showed local government leaders’ dedication while governing in an “increasingly hostile environment,” she continued. 

The 14th annual MEI scorecard, released in mid-November, analyzes and rates 506 municipalities across the country, measuring each for the inclusivity of laws, policies and services for their LGBTQ communities. The MEI is the only nationwide assessment of municipal laws, policies and services that are inclusive of LGBTQ+ people. 

Cities rated include the 50 state capitals, the 200 largest cities in the U.S., the five largest cities or municipalities in each state, cities home to the state’s two largest public universities, 75 cities and municipalities that have high proportions of same-sex couples, and 98 cities selected by HRC and Equality Federation state groups’ members and supporters. 

Cities are rated across numerous criteria, covering citywide nondiscrimination protections, policies for municipal employees, city services, law enforcement and the city’s leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. 

Learn more about the MEI at hrc.org/MEI. 

Press Release originally published by The City of Rockville: https://www.rockvillemd.gov/news/2025/11/19/rockville-scores-top-marks-again-for-commitment-to-lgbtq-community-2/

Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) is a signature program of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. MWBC helps entrepreneurs and small business owners across Maryland’s Capital Region start, sustain, and grow their companies. Through workshops, one-on-one counseling, facilitated peer group support, 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.

The Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1998 to support the national network of Women’s Business Centers (WBC) with programming and advocacy. The AWBC works to secure economic and entrepreneurial opportunities for women by supporting and sustaining a national network of over 152 Women’s Business Centers (WBC) in every State in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. WBCs have more than 30-years of success in providing educational training, mentoring, free business counseling, business development, and financing opportunities to over 150,000 women entrepreneurs and small businesses each year. The WBC program is a public-private partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. To learn more about AWBC visit www.awbc.org.

The city ranked #5 among mid-size communities (population 25,000-99,999) nationwide, joining an elite group of cities recognized for services and amenities that improve residents’ quality of life. Montgomery County also placed #2 among very large communities (population 500,000+), trailing only San Francisco.

The AARP Livability Index evaluates communities across seven categories: housing, neighborhood, transportation, environment, health, engagement, and opportunity. The tool draws from more than 50 national data sources and measures 61 indicators of livability—from monthly housing costs and environmental quality to opportunities for social connections and age-friendly planning.

The city’s strong transit connectivity, walkable neighborhoods, access to healthcare facilities, and robust community engagement all contribute to its high score. For businesses considering where to locate or expand, these livability factors directly translate to talent attraction and workforce retention advantages.

Explore AARP’s Livability Index Tool: https://livabilityindex.aarp.org/

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 24, 2025 – X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC (“X-energy”), a leader in advanced nuclear reactor and fuel technology, today announced it has closed an oversubscribed Series D financing round of approximately $700 million led by Jane Street, from new investors including ARK Invest, Galvanize, Hood River Capital Management, Point72, Reaves Asset Management, XTX Ventures and various others, as well as existing investors including Ares Management funds, Corner Capital, Emerson Collective, NGP, Segra Capital Management and others.

“The response and commitment from the participants in this financing round is a strong affirmation of the role X-energy expects to play in shaping the future of energy,” said Kam Ghaffarian, Ph.D., Founder and Executive Chairman of X-energy. “When I founded X-energy, I envisioned a company that could redefine how to make advanced nuclear energy accessible, affordable, and essential to an energy abundant future. With the support of our investors, both new and existing, we are closer to realizing that vision.”

X-energy expects to utilize proceeds from the round to help continue the expansion of its supply chain and commercial pipeline, supporting an industry-leading orderbook of more than 11 GW, representing approximately 144 advanced small modular reactors.

“We are highly focused on building a world-class project and technology delivery platform to accelerate the commercialization of our Xe-100 reactor and TRISO-X fuel,” said X-energy CEO J. Clay Sell. “The success of this financing round allows us to deepen partnerships with critical deployment partners and invest in a robust and reliable supply chain to successfully deliver projects with our customers.” 

X-energy is advancing its pioneering Xe-100 advanced small modular reactor and TRISO-X fuel in projects with Dow, Amazon, and Centrica. Its initial proposed four-unit Xe-100 plant is planned for Dow Inc.’s UCC Seadrift Operations manufacturing site on the Texas Gulf Coast, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, and currently under permit review with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Following the project with Dow, X-energy and Amazon announced Amazon’s options to deploy more than 5 GW of Xe-100 projects across United States by 2039, beginning with the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility in Washington state in partnership with Energy Northwest. Additionally, X-energy is partnered with British multinational energy and services company Centrica to deploy 6 GW in the United Kingdom.

X-energy is also constructing an advanced nuclear fuel fabrication facility to manufacture its proprietary TRISO-X fuel, a first of its kind in the United States. Together, X-energy’s portfolio is designed to deliver scalable, safer, and more reliable power to meet growing global energy demand.

Advisors

Moelis & Company LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as placement agents for the transaction and Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal advisor to X-energy on the transaction. 

About X-Energy

X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC, is a leading developer of advanced small modular nuclear reactors and fuel technology for clean energy generation that is redefining the nuclear energy industry through its development of safer and more efficient advanced small modular nuclear reactors and proprietary fuel to deliver reliable, zero-carbon and affordable energy to people around the world. X-energy’s simplified, modular, and intrinsically safe SMR design expands applications and markets for deployment of nuclear technology and drives enhanced safety, lower cost and faster construction timelines when compared with other SMRs and conventional nuclear. For more information, visit X-energy.com.

Press Release originally published by X-Energy: https://x-energy.com/media/news-releases/x-energy-closes-oversubscribed-700-million-series-d-financing-round-to-continue-expansion-to-meet-global-energy-demand

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Capital Bank has again been named one of American Banker’s Best Banks to Work For in 2025. The annual ranking, conducted in partnership with Best Companies Group, recognizes banks that excel at creating positive, supportive, and high-performing workplace cultures.

This year, 90 banks nationwide earned a spot on the list based on an anonymous employee survey and a comprehensive review of each institution’s benefits, policies, and organizational practices. Capital Bank was ranked #85, marking the sixth time the Bank has received this recognition. This achievement reflects Capital Bank’s ongoing commitment to cultivating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered.

“Our culture is built on genuinely caring about our people,” said Eric Suss, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Capital Bank. “We invest in programs that encourage growth, reward excellence, and strengthen collaboration. That is what keeps our teams engaged and energized.”

Capital Bank continues to prioritize employee well-being and development through initiatives focused on rewards and recognition, wellness programming, and community involvement. These efforts give employees meaningful opportunities to learn, contribute, connect, and voice their perspectives.

“Our employees drive everything we do,” said Ed Barry, CEO of Capital Bank. “We are a growth-driven company, but growth only happens when the right people are supported in the right environment. This recognition reflects the strength of our culture and the dedication of our team.”

The Bank’s signature initiative, Capital Bank Immersion, introduces new employees to senior leaders and key areas of the organization during onboarding. Following the acquisition of Integrated Financial Holdings, Inc. (IFH), the program expanded to welcome new colleagues in North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, and Illinois, ensuring consistency in connection and alignment across markets.

“The Best Banks to Work For represent institutions that give employees meaningful reasons to be proud of where they work,” said Chana Schoenberger, editor-in-chief of American Banker. “They understand how to create environments where people feel valued and find purpose in their roles.”

Participation in the Best Banks to Work For program involves a two-part assessment. The first part, worth approximately 25 percent of the total score, reviews each bank’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics. The second part, worth approximately 75 percent, consists of anonymous employee surveys focused on day-to-day experiences and attitudes.

To qualify, banks must have at least 50 U.S. employees and a minimum of one year in operation. Best Companies Group manages the registration, survey process, and data analysis to determine the final rankings.

About Capitol Bank

Capital Bancorp, Inc., Rockville, Maryland is a registered bank holding company incorporated under the laws of Maryland. Capital Bancorp has been providing financial services since 1999 and now operates bank branches in seven locations including Washington D.C., Reston, VA, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Rockville, MD, Columbia, MD, Raleigh, NC, and N. Riverside, IL. Capital Bancorp had assets of approximately $3.4 billion at September 30, 2025 and its common stock is traded in the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CBNK.” More information can be found at the Company’s website www.CapitalBankMD.com under its investor relations page.

Capital Bank’s personalized approach to business banking and the creative delivery of technology has helped fuel our continued growth. During all of our success, we have delivered meaningful client experiences by remaining true to a core operating principle: Think Big, Act Local.

About American Banker

American Banker empowers banking professionals with unique analysis and insight into the ideas transforming their business and industry. Across its journalism, events, research and benchmarking, it helps drive the way forward through the complexity of business innovation, retail and commercial disruption, technology, regulation and reform. With a banking community 850k strong, American Banker’s content connects leaders online, in person and in print every day.

About Best Companies Group 

Since 2004, Best Companies Group has specialized in identifying and recognizing great employers to work for. We are an independent research firm that ranks companies based on our established research methodology. Our surveys provide actionable, hard-to-obtain data that companies use to improve employee recruitment and retention.

Press Release originally published by Capital Bancorp, Inc.: https://ir.capitalbankmd.com/news-releases/news-release-details/capital-bank-achieves-its-sixth-best-banks-work-distinction