Author: Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC)

Last week, MCEDC President & CEO Jared Smith and other local Montgomery County business leaders were named to the Washington Business Journal’s Power 250 List, which recognizes influential business leaders across the DMV region. Smith, who joined MCEDC in December 2025, brings over 20 years of economic development and business experience across local and state government to the role. He is widely recognized in the economic development field and chairs the International Economic Development Council’s national Committee on the Future of the Profession, helping shape strategies that influence communities across the U.S.

During his time at MCEDC, Smith has led the development of the new Countywide Economic Development Strategic Plan for Montgomery County. The strategic plan establishes a clear, actionable framework to guide economic growth, competitiveness, and inclusive opportunity across the County. The plan builds on existing County assets like talent and proximity to world-leading research institutions, while addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in the ecosystem and workforce development.

Smith also oversaw MCEDC’s rebrand, which included a refreshed logo, new website, and the launch of quarterly MCEDC-hosted events where each convened over 100 attendees. Smith has also prioritized building a best-in-class economic development team and has made several key hires, including a new Vice President of Business Development, Vice President of Economic Competitiveness, and Chief Operating Officer.

The Washington Business Journal’s Power 250 list also recognized several other Montgomery County leaders, including Co-founder of Xometry, Randy Altschuler, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Angela Franco, Founder & CEO of United Therapeutics, Dr. Martine Rothblatt, President & CEO of The Donohoe Companies, Christopher Bruch, and President of Montgomery College, Dr. Jermaine F. Williams.

Montgomery County, Maryland, is building a growing presence in the clean energy economy, with companies developing technologies to support more reliable, efficient, and lower-carbon energy attracting steady investment. In September, Bethesda-based Centrus Energy Corp. raised $99.82 million through a secondary public offering, the latest news of a local clean energy company raising a significant amount of capital.

Centrus Energy, which employs over 460 people, supplies nuclear fuel and services to the nuclear power industry. Its latest capital raise highlights the importance of nuclear energy and domestic fuel capabilities as the United States explores ways to meet rising electricity demand and strengthen its energy supply chain.

Centrus’ secondary public offering follows Rockville-based X-energy’s recent IPO. The company, which develops small modular nuclear reactors and specialized fuel designed to provide reliable, low-carbon energy and has over 1,000 employees, completed an IPO in April that raised more than $1 billion, bringing global attention to the County’s clean energy ecosystem. The company also recently expanded its Montgomery County presence, adding approximately 24,000 square feet to its Gaithersburg headquarters.

Other Montgomery County companies are also addressing energy challenges from different angles. Rockville-based Liatris is developing high-performance insulation materials designed to improve building energy efficiency, while Rockville-based Chaberton Energy is developing sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy projects. In fact, Chaberton also earned a spot on the 2025 Inc. 5000 listing of America’s fastest-growing private companies.

As demand for reliable, clean energy solutions grows, Centrus Energy’s September capital raise is just one example of the investment flowing into companies in this expanding sector, one that Montgomery County is well-positioned to compete in, with its deep talent pool and supportive infrastructure.