Montgomery County Commissioners deliver 2025 State of the County address

Montgomery County Commissioners pitched their plans for the year ahead as they delivered the 2025 State of the County address Tuesday morning.

Montgomery County Community College’s Science Center Theatre was filled with roughly 150 people as the trio of county commissioners looked back at 2024 accomplishments and goals for the upcoming year.

“Montgomery County is at a pivotal moment. Our vision is bold,” said Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairman Neil Makhija. “It’s also achievable because we believe in the power of partnership, collaboration and a shared commitment to our community amidst all the ongoing changes in a world of government, Montgomery County is a place where we’re protecting all of the interests of our residents and we know we are the ones working on the ground who know them the best.”

Elected officials, county row officers, municipal leaders, advocates, business owners, and those sitting on county advisory boards were among those in attendance.

Elected officials touted progress made in social services. Housing was top of mind for Makhija, Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder and Commissioner Tom DiBello.

“We know achieving this vision involves addressing some of the most complex socioeconomic challenges that our residents face to be the best place to live, we need to ensure that everyone has a place to live that is stable, affordable and safe,” Winder said. “That goal is simple, but the solution is complex because the causes are complex.”

Homeless shelter

Winder noted significant affordable housing investments strides made to expand inclement weather shelter and supportive housing concepts.

“What we will see this coming year is Lansdale and Pottstown shelter mission initiatives will begin operating soon,” Winder said.

DiBello spotlighted the negotiation efforts that resulted in lease of 62 hotel rooms at the Days Inn in Pottstown for those experiencing homelessness.

“This is a huge step that we’re taking in Montgomery County to deal with one of the big hot spots,” DiBello said.

DiBello also highlighted transportation-related initiatives associated with the ongoing Ridge Pike improvement project and participation with the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority. He spoke about building on his “on the road” initiative in which commissioners meetings take place in townships around the county. The next one will take place on April 3 in Lower Merion.

Mental health crisis center

Winder highlighted a $18 million investment introduced last year for an emergency behavioral health crisis center.

“Within the next year, we will begin celebrating the opening of this new behavioral health crisis center, which will serve as the foundation for a whole person approach to coordinated services,” Winder said.

Employee assistance programs were emphasized by Makhija and Winder, who noted paid parental leave and child care. “Employees are the lifeblood of our organization,” Winder said.

Voter outreach

Both also highlighted the 2024 election, which involved expanding voter outreach efforts, having town halls and providing materials in multiple languages as Makhija stressed the importance of “enfranchising a record number of voters.”

“We know that in the year ahead of us there are serious challenges across the country,” Makhija said. “We’re experiencing rising costs of housing, child care and basic necessities. Our communities are grappling with the impacts of a mental health and addiction crisis and many other challenges …”

“We live in a time when citizens also question whether government can meet the demands of the moment,” he continued. “Here in Montgomery County, we have an opportunity to show our county residents, nearly 900,000 of us, what responsible, effective and inclusive government looks like.”

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