Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation Releases Analysis of County's Economic Recovery from COVID-19 Pandemic
Largo, MD – The Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation (PGCEDC) has released a comprehensive analysis detailing the county's exceptional economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Conducted by Policy Navigators, LLC, the report highlights Prince George's County as one of Maryland's top-performing jurisdictions for job growth, demonstrating resilience and leadership during a challenging economic period.
The analysis compared job creation numbers in Prince George's County to eight other jurisdictions in Maryland and the state as a whole. It examined data spanning the pre-pandemic years, the initial economic impacts of COVID-19, and the subsequent recovery period.
Pre-Pandemic Leadership in Job Growth
From 2011 to 2021, Prince George's County led Maryland counties in job creation, adding 55,182 jobs during the decade. This remarkable growth placed the county ahead of Anne Arundel County by nearly 2,000 jobs, with much of the expansion driven by the Fort Meade area and related developments. The report underscores Prince George's County's strong pre-pandemic economic trajectory as a foundation for its post-pandemic recovery.
Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19
The pandemic's onset in March 2020 brought widespread economic disruptions. Businesses, schools, and essential services faced closures, and minority- and women-owned businesses experienced disproportionate challenges. As a jurisdiction with a high concentration of minority- and women-owned enterprises, Prince George's County felt these impacts acutely, recording significant job losses during the pandemic's peak.
Recovery and Reopening
Despite the challenges, Prince George's County demonstrated remarkable resilience. While the broader economy took until 2022 to return to pre-pandemic levels, the county outpaced its Maryland counterparts in job growth during the recovery phase. By May 2022, as restrictions eased and economic conditions normalized, Prince George's County had created more jobs over two years than any other jurisdiction in the state.
A Stronger Future for Prince George's County
The report concludes that Prince George's County not only weathered the economic storm of COVID-19 but also emerged as a model of recovery and growth. Despite trailing only Montgomery County in total job losses during the pandemic, Prince George's County rebounded with sustained job creation, setting the pace for economic recovery across Maryland.
The findings reinforce Prince George's County's status as a leader in job growth and economic resilience, demonstrating the community's ability to overcome adversity and adapt to new economic realities.
About PGCEDC
Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation works to attract, retain, and grow businesses in Prince George's County, Maryland. Through innovative programs and partnerships, PGCEDC supports economic expansion and strengthens the community's business ecosystem.
For more information about this report or PGCEDC’s initiatives, please contact:
Rhett Butler
Marketing & Communications Manager
Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation