by Emma Cosca ‘27

Montgomery County is closing out the year with several major development projects gaining momentum across the East County, Silver Spring, and North Bethesda regions. These projects vary from affordable housing and mixed-use development to life sciences.

One of this year’s largest economic investments was Viva White Oak, a $2.8 billion mixed-use development plan for 280 acres near the U.S. Food and Drug Administration campus. The project is expected to create more than 17,000 construction jobs, 9,000 permanent jobs, and $62 million in annual revenue. Community organizations and business groups, including LABQUEST and Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, praised the project as “a long-awaited investment in East County.”

Budgeting for the fiscal year 2026, which began in July, is on track, but the $100 million decrease in revenue predicted for fiscal year 2027 would slacken development. Additionally, the Maryland General Assembly will begin its session in January in a $1.5 billion deficit. Between federal economic policies and state budget pressures, County Council President Natali Fani-González says she is “very worried for fiscal year 2027.”