Friday, November 13, 2009

Microsoft Comes to Chevy Chase

Following is the county's press release.

Contact:
Kristina Ellis, DED, 240-793-9568
Tonya Klause, Microsoft, 703-402-7020

For Immediate Release: November 13, 2009

Microsoft Celebrates New Chevy Chase Office
Will Bring 500+ New, Relocated Jobs to the County

Montgomery County Department of Economic Development Director Steve Silverman joined yesterday afternoon with Microsoft executives, employees, partners and clients and federal, state and local government officials and representatives to celebrate the opening of Microsoft Corporation’s first Montgomery County location – a new 134,000 square foot showcase office in the heart of Chevy Chase.

Microsoft employees moved into the new office located at 5404 Wisconsin Avenue in June, but yesterday’s event marked the official opening of the new facility to Microsoft’s business partners, clients, community members and new employees.

“We are thrilled to welcome the world’s largest software company to Montgomery County,” said Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett. “Attracting a world-renowned, industry changing company like Microsoft, and the 500-plus new and relocated jobs it will bring to Chevy Chase, is huge news at anytime, but especially now when the economy has made it extremely difficult for most companies to survive, much less expand in this manner.”

The company’s new Chevy Chase office houses a portion of their U.S. Public Sector, including federal, state, local and educational divisions and their Health Solutions Group, which is focused on health IT products and services. The new facility will ultimately house some 500 new and relocated employees over the next few years.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to grow and expand here in Montgomery County,” said Teresa Carlson, Vice President of Microsoft Federal, who represented the commercial and public sector leadership team at the opening event. “Our presence here helps us contribute to Montgomery County’s role as the economic engine for the state. It also affirms our commitment to being an economic partner to the broader region, as we have offices in downtown Washington, D.C.; in Reston, Virginia and now here in Maryland.”

In addition to a brief program, the open house featured Windows 7 tips from Microsoft employees, an “Ask the Expert” session, an XBOX gaming area, and Microsoft Surface demonstrations.

“Microsoft’s decision to relocate and expand here supports Montgomery County’s many business friendly attributes that made, and keep us, one of the nation’s most desired business locations,” said Silverman. “The addition of Microsoft to the County’s existing corporate community is tremendous, and our Department and County stand ready to assist them in their continued growth and success, as we strive to do with each and every business, big and small, in the County.”

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