Oxon Hill, MD, December 9, 2016 – On Sunday, EDC President and CEO Jim Coleman was the guest speaker for the South County Economic Development Association’s 20th Anniversary and Awards Gala. More than 350 South County residents, business leaders and elected officials turned out to support the community based organization that has been an advocate in Prince George’s County for promoting economic development, particularly for small and minority businesses since 1996. Notable residents in attendance included NBC 4 News Anchor Pat Lawson Muse, who served as the emcee for the gala, State Senator C. Anthony Muse, who provided the invocation, SCEDA President Zeno St. Cyr, II, and Board Members Floyd Wilson, Jr., Guy Black and Lenward Hood. Mr. Coleman spoke to the capacity crowd about the power of one: making a difference in your future.
“All of us have known someone who has made a profound difference in our lives. Whether it was a single mother, a pastor or an organization like SCEDA. People like my own mother, whose caring, encouragement and commitment made a significant difference in my life,” said Coleman. “Thanks to the power of one County Executive, Prince George’s County is experiencing incredible growth today. By streamlining the permitting process, bringing ethics reform to County government and causing the County’s crime rate to be the lowest it has been in 30-years, County Executive Baker’s power of one has given developers confidence in Prince George’s County. But now is not the time for cooling off. As President of the EDC, I want to leave no resident behind when it comes to the incredible spirit of growth that this County is experiencing. I congratulate community partners like SCEDA for working to provide County residents with more retail, better grocery options and companies that provide high wage jobs.”
Mr. Coleman was also presented with SCEDA’s Business Development Award as one of the award recipients at the holiday gala. Other honorees included Radio One CEO Cathy Hughes, County Fire Chief Marc Bashoor, County Councilmember Mel Franklin, The Wooten Group Managing Director Lorenzo Wooten, Jr., District VII Police Commander Major Tammy Sparkman, SCSI Senior Consultant Gwendolyn Allen, Ph.D., former SCEDA President Nathaniel Tutt, Jr., and First SCEDA Vice President and Second President Julia Clark. Each of the awardees were recognized for their commitment to improving schools, public safety, economic development and transportation in South County.
“SCEDA has grown tremendously in the last 20 years, and we are proud of the work we have done; particularly in South County,” said Zeno St. Cyr. “We are honored to have had a dynamo like EDC President Jim Coleman as our keynote speaker this evening. We are looking forward to doing bigger and better things in partnership with the Economic Development Corporation to help promote small and minority businesses and economic development in general, in Prince George’s County.”
For more information on business development assistance or expansion, contact the John Mason, EDC Business Development Director (jamason@co.pg.md.us) at 301-583-4650.