[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6317198,"mediaKeyId","2374900-a8a52814b97b4794dd468afc6acf0b85","parentId",2374900,"title","ABS reports lower post‑COVID sales, new retail programs and budget pressures; committee asks for deeper follow‑up","audioSeconds",2134,"startMs",1753625,"endMs",3888610,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374900-a8a52814b97b4794dd468afc6acf0b85&start=1753&end=3888","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374900-a8a52814b97b4794dd468afc6acf0b85/thumbnail_1753625.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6317198/Montgomery-County/Maryland/ABS-reports-lower-postCOVID-sales-new-retail-programs-and-budget-pressures-committee-asks-for-deeper-followup","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317198-640138335ad1368f3cfaececfd42b311/orig.mp4?Expires=1775759558&Signature=X3B6ttUAL8ZQ6tCqfM2bX2v5p9gISCaQT3g4iVEHYrDOqnWg~tfdM1N9xjvLQBQbvfROl7w5HY5OMWhUKvq23YZtvNByF642hPN5lGSFgX7AxZAS-BGMN8CNIKsgFrHCE2VFK27fJEFxUs0~iU3KjNukvSqfotig-DtwWTrUyML-11i4rCInh43lqad-8PMm0dZn92JOf6vghp38Mb0N4HVE5cs6J3pXmBbzANNqQ1mgRWGOi6wIXZ5p0YhVZbwppuzoi04bJRBYgKycMF9rnCHzjifsxYX5M6KOFoTk06MlpHoNuKnm~2FfxjCzuTDJdxItj~sXBkiOkfY0f80tag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery County, MD","date","2025-02-21T03:41:48Z","article","The county’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) presented sales and expenditure trends, retail initiatives and operational challenges to the Economic Development Committee, which asked ABS to return with more detailed store‑level plans and budget mitigation strategies during the FY26 budget process.

Kathy Durbin, ABS director, described recent retail investments—new store formats such as Oak Barrel and Vine, and upcoming replacements in Wheaton and White Oak—and programming to promote local manufacturers, including a “Tastemaker” trail and in‑store “Taste and Tell” events. Durbin said the department has grown a local product program from about $30,000 in its first year to approximately $3,000,000 in sales and that those local products can be held and distributed to support small hospitality businesses.

Durbin also discussed a recent armed robbery at the Wheaton store: police and ABS loss‑prevention coordination led to an apprehension, and the department said it has expanded loss‑prevention monitoring and is upgrading security and cameras across stores.

ABS staff presented preliminary FY24 and FY25 data showing lower retail margins compared with the COVID windfall years. Marty Udimore, ABS administrative division chief, explained that an updated point‑of‑sale (POS) system and higher insurance costs—about $1.5 million and roughly $500,000 respectively—were major contributors to a multi‑million dollar “other expenditures” line. ABS said the POS implementation took about a year and has improved data availability for store‑level analysis.

Committee members asked why certain retail locations operate at a net loss on the submitted table. ABS staff said part of that appearance reflects an internal accounting construct introduced under a prior director that applied warehouse markups to retail stores; staff said removing that construct would show far fewer stores running losses. Staff also noted many stores were placed to serve communities rather than to maximize retail profit, and said the department is now using new sales data, targeted product assortments and community programming to improve performance.

Members sought specifics on renovation costs, labor and marketing. ABS staff said renovation costs ranged widely; they reported recent reductions in design scope and said typical newer store refresh plans are closer to $500,000 after trimming previously higher estimates. Labor costs have increased, and ABS told the committee it expects upward pressure on the general fund transfer because wages and personnel costs are rising—staff cited an approximate $5,000,000 labor‑cost impact across the division. Marketing spend is minimal; ABS said it relies on partnerships, social media, a free podcast and Visit Montgomery County collaborations.

ABS also described policy and program changes: spirit‑based ready‑to‑drink (RTD) products at 8% ABV and under are now permitted for private retailers (about 50 businesses already approved), and ABS said it will charge a modest annual permit fee (approximately $200) starting in 2026 to manage renewals and oversight. ABS said it uses an iStore ordering system for licensee orders and that many small suppliers now prefer ABS distribution even when self‑distribution is available.

The committee asked ABS to return with more detailed store‑by‑store analyses, a strategy to improve underperforming locations and budget mitigation options in two months during the budget process, and requested a fuller operational deep dive in the summer or fall.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Feb. 20, 2025 - ECON Committee Worksession","oneSentenceSummary","Alcohol Beverage Services reported lower post‑pandemic sales, one‑time system and insurance expenses, expanded local‑product programming and new retail formats, and the committee requested detailed follow‑up and budget mitigation plans.","taxTitle","Montgomery County, Maryland","taxId",3351,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6317203,"Committee accepts minor CIP change for life sciences centers; fuller innovation plan set for March",859,878620,1737750,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374900-a8a52814b97b4794dd468afc6acf0b85&start=878&end=1737","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374900-a8a52814b97b4794dd468afc6acf0b85/thumbnail_878620.jpg","/articles/6317203/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Committee-accepts-minor-CIP-change-for-life-sciences-centers-fuller-innovation-plan-set-for-March","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317203-1c94fc5b7b2fdc78524fd38a792785f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775759558&Signature=YqWQ3d0yBWIWc~pAVKMWxOwpmY29rpUyfdbvXo0ZJIefNYJtC4y8QZxZPdkdYXIJ6WotYh4m16LK~HtnNB8RFALNwrm13jvwEoGNZp6hLBvDNokeZcxq2xaiXsK2yZ9VYicpYOA-LkrA36ghubNnFoFYFHDcKYV7txK0YEPj6yptQqDTDW9~zZXM2o5qr1oUT6NvA9iZYfpr7EF6HAB5IkdkLuAT4hVGpB-abVztK4PNirb3lTreG6yySWBxPJTJ0qRvSX~Yitz4QpI86sUAZpIYj-AnwKgAvOVQi7FLEqM~gINQSlAYD20lB9DUDlUimQarpnbdvhoTEG7Zsjj0FQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee accepted a staff recommendation to amend the Capital Improvements Program for the county’s Life Sciences and Technology Centers to reflect a $1,000,000 reduction in expected state aid.

The change is technical: last year’s CIP reflected $4,000,000 in capital funding for innovation centers and an expected $1,000,000 in state aid that county staff now say will not be realized. Staff recommended reducing both revenues and corresponding expenditures by $1,000,000; the committee accepted the recommendation without objection and scheduled broader policy discussion on March 6.

Gene Smith, manager of the Montgomery County Business Center, described how the $3,000,000 remainder will be used if the county proceeds: roughly $1,800,000 is earmarked for shared equipment and bench space at the Germantown Innovation Center, about $600,000 for co‑working improvements at the Rockville Innovation Center and roughly $600,000 for a general refresh and branding across incubator sites. Smith said those figures are part of an executive strategy that pairs capital upgrades with operating investments to expand programming and “wrap‑around” services—legal, accounting and other supports—for early‑stage firms.

County staff and the executive’s office also said the county will present a fuller cross‑departmental innovation and incubation strategy at a March 6 session to guide FY26 budgeting. The committee was told the county fielded an unusually large set of applicants for recent programs: staff said 144 companies applied for a combined $10,000,000 across the executive’s innovation and founders grants, with 20% identifying as life sciences. Staff also reported that the county did not secure a Build Our Futures state grant in the most recent competition; county staff said many successful applicants were private businesses or universities rather than local governments.

Councilmembers raised competitiveness concerns after news of recent private sector changes. Councilmember Veil noted reported job losses from federal contractor changes and the announced shifts at pharmaceutical firms; staff said the county is coordinating with WorkSource, the county chamber and MCDC on workforce and business responses.

The committee accepted the CIP amendment and asked staff to return with more detailed plans, including how operating supports will be aligned with capital investments and how the county will partner with local colleges and universities to strengthen grant competitiveness and shared programming.

A fuller briefing on innovation and incubation strategy is scheduled for March 6; staff said some capital expenditures may shift to FY26 as operating plans and partnerships are finalized.","The Economic Development Committee approved a technical CIP amendment reducing state aid by $1 million for life sciences and technology center upgrades and scheduled a fuller strategy briefing on March 6 to decide operating and capital investments for incubator support.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6317208,"Montgomery County committee backs accelerated road funding for White Oak Science Gateway",809,52861,862800,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374900-a8a52814b97b4794dd468afc6acf0b85&start=52&end=862","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374900-a8a52814b97b4794dd468afc6acf0b85/thumbnail_52861.jpg","/articles/6317208/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Montgomery-County-committee-backs-accelerated-road-funding-for-White-Oak-Science-Gateway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317208-d1483e44c19155df8b6b16123f3fa3af/orig.mp4?Expires=1775759558&Signature=LqlXpKshOVp3by3wYDmi8OUi59hNQtDXAkUvjrAQn1zERNIKunkBtjJv7iVhoMEZtaoy3SOrArmhKA2GhiikWaFrNpfaOsjA6xE5KjRsoD2fp3usfb1uYzafIsj5j9liUtbFbjs0lLi1cyCJOIFeTIB8nj7g0WX6rQ-gjhUmB-c1L2sTwBbzMn1On04C3KHgTu2J85IHDC1EBncmX9B9RJjtlyNoWUTqHT400UEGvHh0a11CNWHU65oXLHhMLJCxOB0aCCpfkCqHuW70iHJ1CJTme3ddCuWH8E3p2GtQD3g-ZjPDVyToRsBr-ZMiyoCs52slQYBnCzoqw7iS3v3b0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Economic Development Committee on a briefing accepted a staff recommendation to accelerate county funding for roads at the White Oak Science Gateway redevelopment site in East County.

The amended capital improvements program (CIP) moves a larger share of the project’s work forward so the county’s road participation funding—about $30 million in general obligation (GO) bond proceeds in fiscal 2026—will be available to reimburse the developer as roadway construction proceeds.

The White Oak Science Gateway redevelopment is a long‑running effort the county estimates as a $45,000,000 CIP project, primarily for construction of master plan roadways. “This CIP project is the $45,000,000 project to support construction of roads primarily on the White Oak site,” Council staff said during the briefing. County staff described earlier appropriation of the larger $40,000,000 road participation commitment, which has been “fully appropriated” for several years and is intended to reimburse the developer pro rata as costs are incurred under the road participation agreement.

County executive representatives told the committee they recommended accelerating funding because fiscal 2027 presented capacity constraints and recent activity from the new developer gave staff more clarity on timing. A county executive representative said the executive branch was “very enthusiastic about this project” and that the new management team under MCB Real Estate has “breathed new life” into the site. MCB Real Estate representatives told the committee they expect to break ground in late November or early December, pending permitting; one MCB presenter said a permit date around Nov. 20 would allow mobilization within one to two weeks.

Greg Austin of the Department of General Services said the county has adjusted the earlier expenditure schedule several times but that the $40,000,000 appropriation tied to the road participation agreement remains available to reimburse the developer when work is performed. County staff said reimbursement will operate through monthly draws as construction invoices arrive rather than a single up‑front payment.

Committee members pressed for clarity on timing, reimbursement procedures and whether advancing the CIP schedule would require scaling back other projects. County staff said no other projects would be reduced to accommodate the change and that if reimbursement timing shifts the appropriation will simply roll into the next fiscal year until obligated. Committee members also asked about job and housing numbers tied to the development; MCB representatives said the project includes more than 3,000 housing units and estimated roughly 30,000 jobs over the life of the project, including construction and built‑out employment.

On the committee floor, Councilmember Ollie Sales asked for a projected groundbreaking date; Teresa Segment, development director with MCB Real Estate, said “our projected breaking ground date is late November, early December of this year.” Staff cautioned the county will likely present a revised expenditure schedule with the FY27–30 CIP next year to reflect actual draw timing.

The committee accepted the staff recommendation with no objections and indicated it would forward the CIP amendment consistent with the executive’s proposal.

The briefing included questions about coordination with district council members, permit milestones, reimbursement mechanics and the need to monitor how the developer’s draw requests will affect future CIP schedules.","The county’s Economic Development Committee accepted a staff recommendation to advance $30 million in GO bond funding to accelerate roads work at the White Oak Science Gateway redevelopment, after developers and county staff described a more definite construction schedule and a projected late‑year groundbreaking.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

ABS reports lower post‑COVID sales, new retail programs and budget pressures; committee asks for deeper follow‑up

Committee accepts minor CIP change for life sciences centers; fuller innovation plan set for March

Montgomery County committee backs accelerated road funding for White Oak Science Gateway