Business and political leaders from the Washington region gathered at the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce CHAMBER FORWARD 2025 Outlook Annual Breakfast on Jan. 29. Held at the Crowne Plaza College Park in Greenbelt, Maryland, the breakfast offered a moment for the organization’s leaders to talk about their work and plans.
The purpose of the event is for the president and CEO of the chamber, Alexander K. Austin, to update the organization’s members and stakeholders on the latest developments and the economic trends affecting the county.
Prince George’s County Council members Calvin Hawkins (D-At Large), Jolene Ivey (D-At Large) and State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, candidates for the vacant county executive position, were among those attending the event. Also present were County Council members Tom Dernoga (D-District 1), Wala Blegay (D-District 6), Wanika Fisher (D-District 2), and Maryland Democratic U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer and Glenn Ivey.
In his 25-minute address, Hoyer talked about the Trump administration’s plans for America.
“We have never experienced a time of more insecurity,” Hoyer said. “President Trump made it clear to the American people what he was going to do.”
Hoyer said Trump’s executive orders create a sense of uncertainty, especially among business leaders, “and businesses need certainty, or they will not want to invest.”
The congressman also said he will work to protect federal government employees, who constitute a sizable number of Prince Georgians.
During his remarks, Austin said his organization is focused on growth.
“We added 138 new members last year,” he said. “We have 800 members in diverse industries, with a goal of 1,000 [in the near future].”
Austin said small and local businesses are the backbone of Prince George’s County economy and called for a need for greater economic diversification. He also pressed county leaders to address public safety concerns of residents and entrepreneurs.
“Our goals this year is to strengthen partnerships, increase networking opportunities and continue to sponsor programs for local businesses,” he said.