Last week I launched my policy platform, and this week I’m focusing on what I think is the most urgent priority for the next Council: growing good-paying jobs in Montgomery County.

As this recent article from Montgomery Perspective highlights, Montgomery County has fallen behind its peers in private sector job growth. The Trump Administration’s attacks on federal workers and tax changes in the “Big Beautiful Bill” are only making things worse, leaving 40,000 Montgomery County residents without jobs and making tax changes that will leave us with a massive budget deficit in the future.

But what can the County Council actually do to spur private sector job growth? Here’s my plan:

Highlight our talent to the world

We are home to uniquely talented people, and we have the opportunity to highlight this talent to companies across the country and globe. To tell that story well, we need to invest in the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation’s ability to build out a talent attraction and retention program – just like others around the region have done. 

Partner with and invest in competitive industries

Igniting economic growth in Montgomery County will require developing partnerships with the businesses that want to invest and grow here and creating the ecosystem to support the growth of businesses where Montgomery County already has a unique competitive advantage, like biotech, energy, atmospheric science, and hospitality.

Help small businesses with permitting reform

When businesses do invest in Montgomery County, they often encounter a cumbersome, challenging permitting process that makes it difficult to open quickly or to grow later. We need to make the Department of Permitting Services and the Planning Department organizations that are partners in helping new small businesses open and thrive, shifting from “Here is what the law says” to “How can we help?”

Advance more opportunities for all with workforce development

On the Council, I will work to protect important workforce programs, like the automotive tech program at Damascus High School, and make sure that Montgomery County is leveraging available state programs to help more students and prospective workers get the training that they need to access good-paying careers.

You can also learn more by visiting my website at morrisonforcouncil.com/priorities. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more updates soon.

Drew