Council President Media Availability: October 12, 2026

Montgomery County Council President media availability, October 12, 2026: Council President Natalie Fani-González and Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) President and CEO Jared Smith discussed the county’s draft four-year economic development strategy and incentives for businesses to locate or expand in the county. Smith said the strategy was shaped by input from more than 600 residents and is intended to set measurable goals for jobs, investment, and county revenue. The Council’s Economic Development Committee is scheduled to continue review on November 5, followed by full Council consideration; the Council President said the next administration is expected to provide comments by January 15. They also discussed a zoning text amendment intended to make the regulatory process faster and more predictable for companies bringing at least 200 jobs. No contract awards or spending votes were announced.

The Council President said the region needs greater investment in water infrastructure after a power failure at a filtration plant led to water-use advisories, and noted that funding could include grants as well as higher customer contributions or rates. A constituent also raised concerns about a reported 10-year, $116 million automated-camera contract and surveillance; the President said the county’s license-plate reader system is not the same as Flock, that her understanding is that its data stays within the county, and that she would check on future public-safety committee discussion. No action on that contract was taken at the briefing.