#MACoCon Recap: A Modern Toolkit for County Economic Development

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees heard about different county tools to spur economic development.  

MACo Award Winning Delegate Mike Griffith

As economic development challenges grow more complex, counties rely on incentives to attract new investment and sustain local businesses. From tax credits and infrastructure grants to strategic partnerships with state and federal programs, understanding which incentives truly move the needle has never been more important. This session, “Incentives That Work: A Modern Toolkit for County Economic Development”, brought together experts and local leaders to explore how Maryland’s latest legislative tools, along with proven federal programs, are being used on the ground to create jobs, spur redevelopment, and position communities for long-term success.

Delegate Mike Griffith led the conversation and moderated an informative Q&A at the “Incentives That Work: A Modern Toolkit for County Economic Development” general session at the MACo Winter Conference.

Panelists included:

  • Melanie Pursel, Director, Office of Tourism & Economic Development, Worcester County
  • Jennifer Jones, CEO, Howard County Economic Development Authority
  • Jennifer Lahatte, Managing Director of Policy, Research, and Government Affairs, Maryland Department of Commerce
  • Mary Kane, President and CEO, Maryland Chamber of Commerce

Mary Kane kicked off the panel by presenting a high-level overview of Maryland’s economic landscape and how it compares with its neighbours.

Jennifer Jones described how federal & state budgetary constraints are affecting the county and how, even in the face of this, Howard continues to prioritize economic development.

Melanie Pursel discussed how the tools, opportunities, and resources may vary between urban and rural counties.

Wrapping up, Jennifer Lahatte brought a statewide perspective and outlined the resources available to counties.

 

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