The Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce will continue to advocate for policies and legislation that create and sustain a vibrant economy. We will:
- Support legislation to lower the costs associated with doing business.
- Support legislation to reduce the tax burden on businesses, particularly small and startup businesses.
- Support legislation creating strategic tax credit programs for high-tech, cutting edge, high-wage, and other industries which the State and County are looking to attract.
- Support initiatives geared towards attracting the next generation workforce to Montgomery County.
- Support legislation that strengthens investment in educational institutions to grow a local talent pool that will position our region to achieve further economic growth.
- Support legislation and initiatives that remove barriers to workforce and business growth.
- Oppose legislation that will constrict private sector growth and development.
- Support legislation that will provide financial resources and other general assistance for small businesses to comply with the burden of new regulations.
SPECIFIC LEGISLATIVE GOALS FOR 2024:
Transportation and Infrastructure
- Support increased capacity on I270 and along I270 corridor.
- Support County-wide Rapid-Transit system assuming that funding is not diverted from existing transportation priorities, including increasing capacity on I270.
- Support and expand MARC Commuter Service, as well as adequate parking facilities for MARC.
- Support efforts to connect traffic corridors throughout the upper I270 corridor.
- Monitor Observation Drive extended project through Gateway sector plan process.
- Support sustainable WMATA funding.
- Support efforts to encourage inter-jurisdictional cooperation to solve transit needs.
- Support the Corridor Forward: I-270 Transit Master Plan south to the American Legion Bridge.
- Monitor proposed Corridor Forward projects, in wake of demise of Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT) project, and in context of broader County transportation plans.
- Support short- and long-term initiatives to connect I270 corridor with Dulles tech corridor.
- Support initiatives aimed at significantly accelerating adoption of internet broadband access by customers, businesses, schools, and government enterprises.
- Support policies to provide housing density around retail and transit centers.
- Support housing policies that will result in attraction and retention of a diverse workforce.
- Support viability of office space initiatives.
Land Use
- Support implementation of the Germantown Master Plan, the Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan and the Shady Grove Sector Master Plan.
- Support City of Gaithersburg Lakeforest redevelopment.
- Support a modernized City zoning ordinance that sustains a thriving business community.
- Support initiatives to ensure a thriving Town Center in Germantown.
- Support updated County Growth and Infrastructure Policy (GIP) that encourages economic development.
Education
- Support workforce development efforts to maintain and enhance the pool of highly trained, skilled workers by supporting education programs and facilities in the County.
- Support funding for Montgomery College and The Universities at Shady Grove.
Public Safety
- Support policies and initiatives that will increase the number of officers in communities.
- Support adequate funding for recruitment to eliminate vacancies on the police force.
- Support legislative changes that will increase the public safety in our communities.
- Support programming that helps public safety personnel with accountability and enforcement of laws that keep our communities safe.
Health Care
- Support initiatives that expand access to insurance and care in Maryland.
- Support initiatives that will reduce overall health care spending.
- Support policies that will stabilize health insurance increases to employers.
The Chamber looks forward to being a part of a partnership between the private and public sector in implementing these suggested changes and finding common ground to create a vibrant and sustainable economy in Montgomery County and Maryland.