EDC President and CEO David Iannucci participated in a panel discussion hosted by the Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce Economic Forecast at the Jockey Club in Laurel. Joined by Anne Arundel Economic Development President Ben Birge and Howard County Economic Development President Larry Twele, the three talked about their respective jurisdictions’ dramatic pivots when Covid-19 hit in March 2020. Since last Spring, all three Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) have become grant writing organizations, helping businesses, restaurants, childcare facilities, hotels adjust and survive the shutdown. The Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation alone put out more than $44 million in grants to 1500 businesses and helped save 4,000 jobs.
The panelists also discussed MNCREDA (the Maryland National Capital Regional Economic Development Alliance), whose membership includes the six suburban Maryland counties. The group meets weekly to collaborate on economic development, best practices, shared challenges, and management issues and has recently been praised by local media on the level of economic development cooperation among the six counties.
Mr. Iannucci also talked about the quantum computing potential in College Park at the University of Maryland, and the vision of a quantum ecosystem that is recognized worldwide. He also talked about the success of logistics, warehousing, and last-mile centers in Prince George’s County and the incredible demand for such space because of everyone buying online now.
County priorities that were highlighted included the new Regional Medical Center in Largo, and the vision for downtown Prince George's to be built across from the hospital by RPAI/KITE; the Blue Line Corridor, TOD growth, and efforts put into addressing food deserts.
Larry Twele, from Howard County, also talked about how Maryland is now able to compete for data centers urbanization of downtown Columbia, and Ben Birge from Anne Arundel County commented on the great growth from NSA and huge business community around the County.