Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass released a plan Monday with immediate next steps to try to boost economic development.
“Here in Montgomery County, I think it is undeniable that we need to do a better job of making ourselves more economically competitive in the region,” Glass said during a media briefing Monday.
“We want to attract more big businesses like Fortune 500 companies and attract national biohealth companies as well. And we need to do that while we also support and uplift our minority and small-owned businesses. In tandem that is really the best way to spur economic growth and to support the amazing diversity that we have here in Montgomery County.”
According to a memo and press release from Glass, proposals in his plan include cutting red tape and easing regulatory compliance, creating a venue for businesses to file complaints, requesting a report from the Business Advancement Team, and requesting reports regarding the Montgomery County Pay Equity Act. Another proposal is creating a new economic development committee, which Glass has already established for the council.
Glass also mentioned an effort underway in Maryland to support the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). Having the federally-mandated research facility in Montgomery County would be a “game changer,” he said.
