More News

If Prince George's wants to attract and retain businesses, it will have to put its money where its mouth is, according to its economic development agency.

The county's economic development corporation needs two more business development specialists at the hearing, an agency representative told County Council members at a budget review session May 4. Most jurisidictions have seven such specialists, while Prince George's has three.

Council members asked what that would cost be, and agency officials said they would let them know at a later time.The agency employs 75 people, costing $2.6 million in wages and benefits, with 26 jobs funded through the county.

Gwen McCall, interim president and CEO of the agency, said the need for more specialists was discovered during a recent audit.

But before new staff is hired, the agency must first focus on improving established communities, council members said.

"That is the trend now," said Councilwoman Karen Toles (D-Dist. 7), adding that she wants to see the agency work with communities, as the county's Department of Housing and Community Development does. She also called for the agency to reach out more to local trade organizations to duplicate the success seen in the county's recent partnership with the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee of Local 26 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The partnership helped train 35 people, of whom 26 are now employed and six are apprentices.

Wanda Plumer, director of the corporation's Business Development Retention and Expansion division, said the challenge is continuing such outreach efforts and that in the past trade groups have not been especially responsive.

Council members also questioned whether the county is doing enough to ensure local small-business participation in key projects.

Charlotte Ducksworth, director of the Small Business Initiative, suggested the county look into following the lead of surrounding jurisdictions and draft goals for contract set-asides for local small businesses.

The Financial Services Corp. stressed the need for outside funding sources, as it prepares to improve its processing technology. The council has submitted legislation requesting $70,200 be added to current fiscal 2011 appropriations so the nonprofit can purchase a new computer server and related equipment. The nonprofit has been rejected for grants because of inadequate information technology capabilities, said Shelly M. Gross-Wade, president and CEO of the nonprofit, whose software is not supported by the U.S. Office of Information and Technology.

Obie Patterson (D-Dist. 8), chairman of the planning committee, said he was dismayed to learn that the nonprofit has not been receiving any financial support from the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority, which is charged with helping develop socially or economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs create businesses.

lrobbins@gazette.net