Mission Statement

Restructure County Economic Development Efforts

During FY2015, the County Executive made a decision to privatize the core functions of Department of Economic Development (DED) based on community input, the neighboring jurisdictions' models, and the profound changes in the region's economy and the competitive landscape. This is part of a larger effort to increase Montgomery County's economic competitiveness. Other efforts also include completion of a comprehensive economic strategy as a blueprint for future economic success and restructuring workforce development to create a central coordinating organization for all workforce strategies and programs for both employers and employees. By restructuring economic development functions, Montgomery County seeks to strengthen private-sector involvement in economic development, to be more nimble and adaptive to market changes and community needs, and to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Based on County Council Bills 25-15 and 40-15, Montgomery County reorganized DED to a non-profit organization, the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), and to designate a non-profit corporation, WorkSource Montgomery, Inc. (WSM), to assume the role as the County's workforce development organization.  With the closure of DED effective June 30, 2016, a majority of the DED responsibilities, especially those related to marketing, business attraction, business retention and growth, entrepreneurship development and technology innovation programs, will be transitioned to MCEDC.  The County's workforce development programs and services will be transitioned to WSM.  Some economic development programs and initiatives will remain under the auspices of other County departments, which include:

• Finance - the fiscal management of the County's Business Innovation Network, small business financial and technical assistance services, and the Economic Development Fund

• The County Executive - small business navigation and special economic development projects.

• Agriculture - all agricultural related services and programs.

• Procurement - minority business assistance and outreach.

• General Services - lease payments to the American Film Institute.

Budget Overview

The total approved FY19 Operating Budget for the Department of Economic Development is $0, a decrease of $0 or 0.00 percent from the FY18 Approved Budget of $0. Personnel Costs comprise 0.00 percent of the budget for no full-time position(s) and no part-time position(s), and a total of 0.00 FTEs. Total FTEs may include seasonal or temporary positions and may also reflect workforce charged to or from other departments or funds. Operating Expenses account for the remaining 0.00 percent of the FY19 budget.

Linkage to County Result Areas

While this program area supports all eight of the County Result Areas, the following are emphasized:

• Healthy and Sustainable Neighborhoods
• A Responsive, Accountable County Government
• Strong and Vibrant Economy
• Vital Living for All of Our Residents

Department Performance Measures

Performance measures for this department are included below (where applicable), with multi-program measures displayed at the front of this section and program-specific measures shown with the relevant program. The FY18 estimates reflect funding based on the FY18 approved budget. The FY19 and FY20 figures are performance targets based on the FY19 approved budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY20.