Virginia named State of the Year by Business Facilities magazine

Our neighbor across the Potomac is ending 2024 on another economic development high note. Business Facilities magazine has just named Virginia "State of the Year." This is the third time the Old Dominion has taken home the prize since the magazine introduced the honor in 2007. Of course, it's little surprise that Virginia was named the winner, as it is one of the primary destinations of corporate headquarters relocations in America. Maryland? Dead last. Montgomery County hasn't attracted a single major corporate headquarters in over a quarter century, and the statewide record looks just as bad.

"Virginia is a prime location for businesses of all varieties, and this honor from Business Facilities underscores the work we’ve been doing since day one to make Virginia the best place for business investment and job creation," Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement. "The Commonwealth has experienced record job growth from companies that are drawn by our best-in-class talent, infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. I am thrilled that Virginia has earned this recognition from a leading source for site selection experts."

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin wraps up
another year of the Old Dominion cleaning
Maryland's clock at economic development

"From advanced manufacturing to data centers to professional services, Virginia is attracting companies across industries with its business-friendly environment and programs to support the distinct needs of those businesses," Business Facilities Editorial Director Anne Cosgrove said. Earlier this year, CNBC named Virginia America's top state for business. Maryland came in 31st out of 50 on that list. Ouch.

Youngkin has proposed a number of tax cuts for Virginia residents in 2025. Maryland residents are facing yet more tax hikes, as its moribund economy has depressed revenues, while legislators in Annapolis have continued to spend wildly. 

"Let's take a victory lap on
Montgomery County's bike lanes!"

With no good news to share, and the potential loss of the Washington Commanders and future FBI headquarters looming, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has been reduced to creating distractions by endorsing the legalization of beer and wine sales in grocery stores. Residents have been demanding that for decades, and have been stiff-armed by their representatives in Annapolis every step of the way over those years. While desperation and embarrassment have led to the topic suddenly being revived by their governor and party leader, a number of powerful Democrats in Annapolis went on the record last week to suggest they will block such a move in the upcoming legislative session.

Photos courtesy Office of Gov. Glenn Youngkin

Maryland to open new I-95 Express Toll Lanes ahead of holiday travel

The Maryland Transportation Authority announced that it will open a new stretch of Express Toll Lanes on northbound I-95 tomorrow, Wednesday, December 18, 2024. A variable toll charged to drivers who use the lanes will provide a way around traffic congestion, which is expected to be heavy around next week's Christmas and Chanukah holidays. The new Express Toll Lanes run for 6.5 miles along the northbound side of the interstate between White Marsh Boulevard (MD 43) and Mountain Road (MD 152).

Completed Express Toll Lanes all the way to MD 24 (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway), along with new ramps connecting I-695 to the northbound ETL, are expected to open to traffic by the end of 2027. The first section of ETL opened in 2014. MDTA recommends obtaining an E-ZPass, to save up to 77% over toll charges you might otherwise receive via Pay-by-Plate or video tolling.

“The northbound I-95 Express Toll Lanes extension project provides travelers with a more reliable travel experience while easing congestion on our highways,” MDTA Executive Director Bruce Gartner said in a statement. “Through innovation and safety, this project represents our commitment to modernize Maryland’s infrastructure and enhance mobility options.”

Burglary at Enterprise Rent-a-Car in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at Enterprise Rent-a-Car at 19801 Frederick Road in Germantown on the evening of November 22, 2024. There were no signs of forced entry. However, property was taken from a "shed" at the rental car facility. Police have released no description of the suspect(s) at this time.

Montgomery County police to stage sobriety checkpoint tonight

If you drive while intoxicated tonight, Friday the 13th may truly be your unlucky day. Montgomery County police will conduct a sobriety checkpoint somewhere in the county tonight, December 13, 2024, beginning around 10:00 PM. The exact location is not being disclosed by the police department for obvious reasons, but you could anticipate it will be on a major road. Drunk-and-drugged driving and crash statistics are employed in choosing the site of the checkpoint. Any driver showing signs of intoxication will be ordered to pull over for further testing. 

MCPS student-refurbished car and computer sale Dec. 14 in Gaithersburg

The Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation, Inc. is a partnership between the business community and Montgomery County Public Schools that provides valuable experience for students in the automotive repair and sales fields. It will be holding its next refurbished car and computer sale this Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Gaithersburg High School at 101 Education Boulevard in Gaithersburg.

I recommend you first fortify yourself with breakfast at Wawa across MD 355. Second, the list of cars expected to be available at the lottery sale this Saturday is topped off with a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis for $3,495 and a 2010 BMW 128i coupe for $7995. Buyers can take their car to a mechanic for inspection within 5 business days.

All vehicles are Maryland State Inspected prior to delivery and vehicles with less than 90,000 miles come with a 30 day or 1,000 mile powertrain warranty. All vehicles with 90,000 or more miles are discounted and sold in “as is” condition. Tags, title, fees, and sales tax are in addition to the vehicle price.  A $100 deposit (checks preferred; cash accepted) is required to hold a vehicle. The balance of the purchase price is due when you receive the vehicle. All deposits are non-refundable one week (5 working days) after sale.

Individuals who choose to test drive sale vehicles must be at least 21 years of age, wear a mask (required), have a current car insurance policy, and have a valid drivers’ license.

Paris Baguette sets opening date in Germantown

Paris Baguette's new Germantown location has an opening date. The French bakery at 21040-G Frederick Road will open this Saturday, December 14, 2024. The bakery will be open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM seven days a week.

This is the brand's second Maryland location.“We’re incredibly excited to bring Paris Baguette to the Germantown community, a place we’ve both grown up near and have always been passionate about serving,” franchisee John Canterino said in a statement today. “Opening this café with my brother Michael, alongside our experienced team, is a dream come true. We’re not just bringing fresh & delicious pastries, cakes and artisan coffee beverages to the area – we’re also committed to giving back and creating a space where the community can gather, connect, and enjoy high-quality baked goods together.”

Yamil Hernández elected VP of Gaithersburg City Council

Gaithersburg City Councilmember Yamil Hernández has been elected Vice-President of the body by his colleagues for a one-year term. Hernández was elected to the Council in 2023. As VP, he will stand in for Mayor Jud Ashman during any absence by the executive. In his first year on the Council, Hernández took on the responsibility of serving as Council liaison to the Environmental Affairs Committee. In his private career, he is the Chief Business Officer and Co-Founder of ExeGi Pharma. 

Photo courtesy City of Gaithersburg

Attempted armed robbery in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police are searching for suspects in the November 25 attempted armed robbery of a man in Montgomery Village. The botched robbery attempt took place in "the early morning hours" at the intersection of Boysenberry Drive and Hellingly Place. Two male suspects displayed a weapon, and assaulted the adult male victim. They were unsuccessful in obtaining property from the victim, however.

Police describe the suspects only as two Black males in their twenties. If you can identify either of these suspects, call police at (301) 279-8000.

La Frontera reopens in Gaithersburg after arson

La Frontera at 3 Russell Avenue was one of several Gaithersburg businesses targeted by an arsonist in September 2023. After over a year of repairs, the Salvadoran restaurant has reopened its doors for business. To celebrate the reopening, La Frontera is offering 10% off to diners during the month of December. Show the above image at the time of your purchase to redeem the offer.

Bowlero Gaithersburg to rebrand as Lucky Strike

All three Bowlero locations in Montgomery County will rebrand as Lucky Strike. Bowlero Bethesda at 5353 Westbard Avenue, Bowlero Gaithersburg at 1101 Clopper Road, and Bowlero Rockville at 15720 Shady Grove Road will become Lucky Strike bowling alleys over the next two years. Bowlero, which acquired Lucky Strike last year, has decided to make the name change to reflect its intention to broaden its entertainment empire beyond bowling. 

Lucky Strike has an existing Montgomery County location at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The future of the Westbard location is unclear, however, as its lease ends in 2027, requiring a decision by property owner Regency Centers.

Bowlero told The Wall Street Journal this week that profits from its Raging Waves water park in Illinois have exceeded expectations, fueling confidence that the company can expand its horizons, while staying centered on its core business of food and beverage sales. CEO Tom Shannon told the Journal that he envisions the company one day selling passes that are accepted at all of its entertainment businesses.

Illegal loaded handgun discovered in Germantown traffic stop

The Montgomery County Police Department continues to be vindicated in its expressed belief that traffic stops have tremendous value in combating crime, and boosting public safety, in contrast to their critics on the Montgomery County Council. Once again, in the early morning hours of November 23, 2024, a traffic stop in Germantown yielded a loaded gun that the possessor was not legally authorized to have. The gun was allegedly uncovered in a vehicle pulled over near the intersection of Father Hurley Boulevard and Germantown Road.

Shanita Hackett, 42, of no fixed address was arrested at the scene. According to Maryland court records, she has been charged with possession of a handgun, possession of a loaded handgun, illegal possession of a registered firearm, possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, illegal possession of ammunition, two counts of 2nd-degree assault, malicious destruction of property, resisting arrest, and obstructing and hindering an officer. Hackett is being held without bond pending a preliminary hearing in Montgomery County District Court in Rockville on December 20.

Regal Germantown closed while Montgomery County leaders slept at the switch (Photos)

Regal Cinemas has closed at 20000 Century Boulevard in Germantown. The closure, which was first reported by The MoCo Show, is a significant blow to the development and success of Germantown Town Center. The theater is likely to be replaced by yet another residential building. Yes, it may have retail or restaurant tenants in the ground floor (or, like others in the area, it might not), but neither outcome will produce the general activity level of a cineplex. In a relatively-high-crime area like Germantown, the last thing in the world you want is a large, dead, dark space after business hours.

The closure is also bad news for the surrounding businesses. A study last decade found that a multiplex theater draws an additional 20,000 people to a neighborhood each weekend, who shop and dine at nearby establishments before and after their movie. "Dinner and a movie" is such a generator of economic activity - not to mention one of the most popular weekend activities of many Americans - that some restaurants will even partner with theaters to offer special packages. 

It's sad that it came down to this. When this theater opened as a Hoyts Cinema around the turn of the century, it stood out for awhile in a county where most theaters were aging or had closed altogether, and the odds of finding a hole in your seat cushion at many were quite good. But in recent years as a Regal Cinemas, the failure to convert to the latest theater standards such as recliners could be seen as the writing on the wall. 

The reality is that the potential cash value of the land as a mixed-use development site exceeded whatever Regal would realistically be able to pay in rent over the coming years. And as in the demise of Regal Cinemas Bethesda 10, the Montgomery County Council was asleep at the switch, despite it being known for months that this economic engine of Germantown Town Center was in danger of being switched off, with no replacement. 

It should be noted that Topgolf, the only other significant entertainment option in the Town Center neighborhood, is in financial distress at the corporate level. Parent company Topgolf Calloway has declared its intention to spin off the Topgolf business into a separate entity. As a result, there's no ironclad guarantee that Topgolf will be around forever in Germantown. BlackRock Center for the Arts isn't enough to sustain a viable Town Center economy on its own. Where is the leadership? Somebody reach for the smelling salts.

Sheetz on Gaithersburg Planning Commission agenda Dec. 4

The addition of a second Montgomery County Sheetz convenience store and mega-gas-station will take another step toward reality this Wednesday night, December 4, 2024, in Gaithersburg. City Planning Commissioners will take up a request by the Walnut Hill Shopping Center to install an additional monument sign that will display the Sheetz gas prices. A similar sign was allowed at the Montgomery Village Sheetz further up MD 355. The amendment to Walnut Hill's sign package will also allow additional signage on the Sheetz convenience store building. City staff are recommending approval of the Sheetz amendment.