Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Jim Coleman and his executive team presented a mid-year budget review this week to the Prince George’s County Council Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee, where the council’s contributions in the world market were lauded.
During Wednesday’s meeting, the committee was specifically interested in how current funding was being utilized for the numerous programs and resources EDC has at its disposal and how those resources have affected the county’s residents and businesses.
“The return on the council’s investment has been enormous,” Coleman said. “The county’s private sector has produced almost 10,000 new full-time jobs, the median household income has increased by $5,000, the county has attracted more than 30 new businesses and more than 70,000 county residents have received job training services through the One-Stop Career Centers.”
Coleman added that with all that’s going on, now is not the time to slow down.
“With the tireless efforts of our Workforce Services Division, we are also committed to ensuring that the county’s veteran and returning-citizen populations are empowered with the tools they need to secure high wage jobs in this economy,” Coleman said. “The best is yet to come.”
Through its focus on access to employment opportunities, Workforce Services Director Walter Simmons told the committee about EDC’s skills training programs and a grant to support transitioning veterans to remain in Prince George’s County by way of entrepreneurship and job placement.
Coleman also announced March as “ReEntry Month” at EDC, with a host of workshops and activities to provide returning citizens with the connections and resources needed to secure gainful employment.
“The presentation by the Economic Development Corporation was extremely informative and shows that the county is on the right track,” said Council member Obie Patterson, vice chair of the committee. “I think that Prince George’s County will be the county to recognize in terms of economic development. I am happy that we have a good team in place to take us to that next level.”
