Howard County Economic Development Authority Presents 2011 Strategic Plan for Economic Development
Columbia, MD, February 18, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The Howard County Economic Development Authority is pleased to announce the release of the 2011 Strategic Plan for the economic development of Howard County.
Released at the Howard County Council meeting today, the 2011 Plan utilizes a fresh approach to economic development that requires an even bolder vision for growth and economic vibrancy. The unprecedented opportunity presented by military base realignment and the new Cyber Command will generate impressive opportunities in the Baltimore-Washington Corridor. The birth of a new cyber industry and the evolution of the world’s largest concentration of information assurance, data system security and cyber warfare, will be “game changers” for the market.
“Howard County is a top performing county in a top performing region,” said Richard W. Story, Chief Executive Officer of the Howard County Economic Development Authority. “However, to stay in the forefront, the County needs to overcome some of its weaknesses; such as the lack of regional mass transit, workforce challenges, and the potential for complacency.”
Story also pointed to the new revitalization plan for Downtown Columbia as a generator of new economic activity for Downtown Columbia.
With the economic development vision, “Howard County, Maryland will be widely recognized as the best place in the United States to live, work and operate a business,” the 2011 Strategic Plan identifies four themes that drive the community towards achieving its balance between economic and quality of life goals. These themes are Knowledge Community, Connected Community, Reinvent the Community, and Innovation Community.
“We are on the precipice of growth. Together, we need to think and grow strategically to remain in the global market place,” said Catherine M. Ward, Chair, 2011 Strategic Plan Committee and Vice Chair of the Howard County Economic Development Authority’s Board of Directors. “The release of the Economic Development Plan was timed to coincide with the start of the General Plan process.”
The 2011 Strategic Plan was developed by the 2011 Strategic Plan Committee comprised of representatives from local, regional and state government agencies, the private sector, education and community organizations. The planning process determined that Howard County remains highly competitive when compared to the nation’s largest and most vibrant counties. The process also clarified the county’s greatest opportunities and challenges and outlined themes that contribute to the creation of new jobs and expansion of the tax base.
To download a copy (PDF) of the 2011 Strategic Plan, visit www.hceda.org. To request a copy of the Plan, please contact The Authority at 410-313-6500.
The Howard County Economic Development Authority is a public-private partnership whose primary goal is to generate higher-paying jobs and a growing commercial tax base in the County through business development, resulting in a strong economic base and high quality of life. To achieve its mission, The Authority focuses on four key areas: marketing to drive business retention, expansion, and attraction success; promoting and supporting entrepreneurship and small business growth; advocating policies to ensure an ever improving business climate; and promoting awareness of critical economic development issues and priorities within the community, including business, government, not-for-profit, education partners, and local residents. To learn more about The Authority and its goals, please visit www.hceda.org.
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Released at the Howard County Council meeting today, the 2011 Plan utilizes a fresh approach to economic development that requires an even bolder vision for growth and economic vibrancy. The unprecedented opportunity presented by military base realignment and the new Cyber Command will generate impressive opportunities in the Baltimore-Washington Corridor. The birth of a new cyber industry and the evolution of the world’s largest concentration of information assurance, data system security and cyber warfare, will be “game changers” for the market.
“Howard County is a top performing county in a top performing region,” said Richard W. Story, Chief Executive Officer of the Howard County Economic Development Authority. “However, to stay in the forefront, the County needs to overcome some of its weaknesses; such as the lack of regional mass transit, workforce challenges, and the potential for complacency.”
Story also pointed to the new revitalization plan for Downtown Columbia as a generator of new economic activity for Downtown Columbia.
With the economic development vision, “Howard County, Maryland will be widely recognized as the best place in the United States to live, work and operate a business,” the 2011 Strategic Plan identifies four themes that drive the community towards achieving its balance between economic and quality of life goals. These themes are Knowledge Community, Connected Community, Reinvent the Community, and Innovation Community.
“We are on the precipice of growth. Together, we need to think and grow strategically to remain in the global market place,” said Catherine M. Ward, Chair, 2011 Strategic Plan Committee and Vice Chair of the Howard County Economic Development Authority’s Board of Directors. “The release of the Economic Development Plan was timed to coincide with the start of the General Plan process.”
The 2011 Strategic Plan was developed by the 2011 Strategic Plan Committee comprised of representatives from local, regional and state government agencies, the private sector, education and community organizations. The planning process determined that Howard County remains highly competitive when compared to the nation’s largest and most vibrant counties. The process also clarified the county’s greatest opportunities and challenges and outlined themes that contribute to the creation of new jobs and expansion of the tax base.
To download a copy (PDF) of the 2011 Strategic Plan, visit www.hceda.org. To request a copy of the Plan, please contact The Authority at 410-313-6500.
The Howard County Economic Development Authority is a public-private partnership whose primary goal is to generate higher-paying jobs and a growing commercial tax base in the County through business development, resulting in a strong economic base and high quality of life. To achieve its mission, The Authority focuses on four key areas: marketing to drive business retention, expansion, and attraction success; promoting and supporting entrepreneurship and small business growth; advocating policies to ensure an ever improving business climate; and promoting awareness of critical economic development issues and priorities within the community, including business, government, not-for-profit, education partners, and local residents. To learn more about The Authority and its goals, please visit www.hceda.org.
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Contact
Howard County Economic Development Authority
Alice Settle-Raskin
410-313-6500
www.hceda.org
Alice Settle-Raskin
410-313-6500
www.hceda.org
Contact
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