Entrepreneurial Spirit, as Seen in the Numbers
Thursday, July 20, 2006; Page GZ04
Economic development officials have counted the number of companies opening or expanding within the county in fiscal 2006. The final tally: 156 firms employing 7,624 people and occupying 3,436,474 square feet of office space.
"These numbers show that our efforts to expand and retain our talented workforce and our innovative companies are paying off," said David Edgerly, the county's economic development director. "Our mission is to bring high-quality jobs into Montgomery County to match the incredible talent of our residents."
The county is the state's largest job center, adding 93,000 jobs since 1995. It also has the state's highest number of female-owned firms, as well as the most Hispanic-owned and Asian American businesses.
County officials said census data indicates that Montgomery has more entrepreneurs than any other jurisdiction in the country.
A 'City' on Wheels
Fitzgerald Auto Malls has a new way for shoppers to buy used cars -- inside what it calls an "auto city."
What is an auto city? Fitzgerald officials call it a "city within a city" -- the latter city being the real city of Gaithersburg, where this Fitzgerald Auto Malls is.
The other city is a 12,000-square-foot area with murals, storefronts, sidewalks, park benches and a bird bath.
The idea is for shoppers to look for used cars in a climate-controlled showroom where they can ponder their decisions on Main Street.
Tomorrow at 9 a.m. Fitzgerald is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony, featuring several dignitaries, including Sydney Katz, mayor of the real city of Gaithersburg.
RRD Names Vice President
RRD International Inc., a Rockville company that assists biotech firms with clinical testing and communicating with regulators, has hired Curtis L. Scribner as senior vice president of medical and regulatory affairs.
Scribner has an extensive background working in the drug industry, including a decade spent at the Food and Drug Administration.
"Dr. Scribner brings to RRD more than 20 years of experience in clinical trial design and management and a proven track record in worldwide regulatory drug development," said Charles W. Finn, RRD's chief executive.
"His background as a clinician, his decade-long tenure at FDA and his hands-on industry experience make him an important asset to RRD and will greatly benefit our partner companies," Finn said.
Have some business news about Montgomery County? Send an e-mail torosenwaldm@washpost.com.
