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A lack of cohesive leadership continues to be a major impediment to job creation and quality growth in Prince George's County, business leaders told presumptive County Executive Rushern L. Baker III on Thursday night.

"We need the highest quality development we can get," said Dan Smith of Cheverly, one of about 90 people who attended Baker's last "listening session" with residents at Friendly High School in Fort Washington. "But we need some leadership here."

Baker, a former delegate who won the Sept. 14 primary and is running unopposed in the Nov. 2 general election, has held several meetings over the last month to hear concerns and suggestions from residents as he prepares to take the helm Dec. 7.

At the final session, business leaders said that although the county has begun to attract more business through foreign trade and several high-profile developments like the National Harbor hotel and convention complex in Oxon Hill, it continues to lag behind its neighbors.

A recent analysis by the Maryland Department of Planning found that more than 60 percent of county residents commute out of Prince George's County for work. The report stated that Prince George's had the lowest percentage statewide of residents who work in the same county where they live.

James R. Estepp, a member of the Greater Prince George's Business Roundtable, said many prospective businesses feel county leaders deter interested developers by making extra demands and holding up projects. He pointed to a proposal the County Council killed last week that would have made stricter development standards on stormwater management.

"It's consistency. Businesses want to know that if they follow a process, while they may not find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, they will have a finished product if they hit all the steps," Estepp said. "They don't want legislative pieces that can change everything, like there was on Tuesday. Thank God that didn't pass."

But other attendees told Baker and elected leaders that improving environmental and design standards is just as vital as attracting businesses and jobs. Requiring companies to outfit buildings with solar panels, reduce paved surfaces and make other "green" concessions could bring tax breaks from the federal government and a new job sector of workers trained in environmental construction.

"You have a fabulous opportunity here to grow a green economy, both in the short term and the long term," said Linda Lincoln of Cheverly. "But you have to move purposefully on several fronts."

Craig Muckle, a board member of the county's Chamber of Commerce, said leaders must improve the permitting process and cultivate a better public image.

"When you're competing against other counties, you need to streamline that process," he said, suggesting that the county launch a "rebranding" campaign to boost its image. "You need to give people a reason to come to your jurisdiction, for business and pleasure."

Baker, who campaigned against what he called "a culture of cronyism" between county leaders and developers and promised to push for job growth, said little at the meeting, but assured attendees that county government will be more responsive than in the past.

"I want the type of government Prince George's County deserves. We're going to be open and transparent," Baker said. "I know when you go to council hearings, you go up, say your piece and then it's over. We are coming back to you."

dvalentine@gazette.net