The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce supports programs, partnerships, initiatives, and legislation that attract and retain businesses, and encourage consumer and investor interest and confidence in the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase region of Montgomery County, Maryland. In particular, the Chamber promotes and advocates the following:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- Responsible County and State budgets that address shortfalls through spending restraints and recognize that targeted economic development expenditures reap increased tax revenue and income.
- The Montgomery Business Development Corporation, in coordination with the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development, to attract/retain jobs, businesses, and residents to/in the County.
- Mandatory governmental analysis of all proposed County legislation and regulations for their individual and cumulative fiscal impact on businesses.
- Approval of Master Plan amendments (in particular the Chevy Chase Lake Sector Plan and a new plan for the Bethesda Central Business District), Zoning Text Amendments, and redevelopment proposals that foster transit-oriented development, bring new tax revenue to the County, and promote sustainability and smart growth principles.
- Legislation and programs that support small businesses, such as association health plans, procurement reserves, redevelopment impact funds, and education.
- Continued participation in the implementation of the White Flint Sector Plan, particularly regarding the development and implementation of an urban district and available amenities.
- The attraction/retention of federal installations and investment to/in the County and initiatives that facilitate business opportunities for local businesses with the federal facilities.
- A Zoning Ordinance Rewrite that promotes smart growth development opportunities, streamlines the development review and approval process, protects existing property values and businesses, and maintains viable commercial nodes in the Greater B-CC area.
- A responsible energy tax that imposes equal rates for commercial and residential users and respects existing sunset provisions.
- Revision of the County’s liquor control policies to provide better service and greater selection at lower cost to County businesses.
TRANSPORTATION
- Implementation of the Purple Line light rail and trail along the Georgetown Branch alignment.
- Immediate construction of the south entrance to the Bethesda Metro Station as an independent project, not tied to any Purple Line construction schedules.
- Across-the-board improvement of the Metro system (including management, safety, reliability, and communications) and dedicated regional funding for WMATA that is reliable and predictable.
- Innovative, coordinated and long-term transportation improvements to address the impacts of BRAC-related expansion at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and growth at the National Institutes of Health.
- Protection and expansion of the Bethesda Circulator service and Ride-On bus routes to transit nodes and employment centers within the Greater B‑CC area and implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), bikeshare, telecommuting, transit ridership incentives, shuttle service operations in North Bethesda, and other programs that help reduce vehicle trips.
- Short and long-term improvements and enhancements to the Bethesda Metro Station through the Bethesda Metro Improvement Task Force in partnership with WMATA and other relevant parties.
- Improvements to technology and services for Parking Lot District (PLD) users and protection of the fiscal integrity of the Bethesda PLD.
- Accelerated construction of the State portion of Montrose Parkway (east of Rockville Pike to Veirs Mill Road).
- Replenishment of the Maryland Transportation Trust Fund and the continued defense of its fiscal integrity through a dedicated state gas tax.
- Continued independence of the County’s Transportation Management Districts (TMDs), specifically Bethesda Transportation Solutions and the North Bethesda TMD, in recognition of the key roles they play in “branding” the areas that they serve.
PUBLIC HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SAFETY
- The Suburban Hospital campus enhancement project, to ensure continuation of quality health care in the region.
- A comprehensive school capacity solution that ensures sufficient resources in the County’s Capital Improvements Program and eliminates the potential for subdivision approval moratoriums.
- Reinvestment of fees and taxes generated in the Bethesda Urban District, including the PLD, to improve and upgrade existing facilities and services, and, within the Bethesda CBD, investment in Bethesda Urban Partnership programs, including improved downtown street lighting, streetscape, and pedestrian facilities.
- Improvement of our community’s public health and safety by restoring and maintaining budgetary resources allocated to our first responders and preserving the significant contribution of volunteers to help provide first-class fire, rescue and EMS services.
CULTURAL ENRICHMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
- Legislative awareness of sustainability issues facing cultural arts organizations, including the need for equitable annual County government funding amongst them, and support for the Arts & Entertainment District Board’s efforts to preserve The Bethesda Theatre for the community purposes that it was intended to serve.
- Environmental awareness and Bethesda Green, including business incentives and education for eco-friendly programs.
