Maryland’s economy was foremost in the minds of most residents this past year and the topic continued to be an important one at the MACo winter conference.

At the “Advancing Your Community…Techniques for Economic Development Strategies” general session, moderated by Delegate Adreinne Jones, a broad panel of speakers representative of the diversity of Maryland’s economic development landscape showed the audience why economic development is important to creating opportunity, inspiring innovation and enriching communities. From utilizing high performance tax credit programs in Baltimore City, to capitalizing on development strengths in Rockville, and creating a brand identity in Dorchester County, the panelists illustrated successful economic development techniques used to enrich urban, suburban and rural communities.

Panelists included Lawrence F. Twele, CEcD, President & CEO, Howard County Economic Development Authority; William H. Cole, President & CEO, Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC); Laurie M. Boyer, CEcD, Director, Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI); and Keasha N. Haythe, CEcD, Director, Dorchester County Economic Development.