By Cory Galliher

Special to The Sentinel

Envision Prince George's, an economic outlook forum co-sponsored by the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, took place Friday at the University of Maryland University College Inn and Conference Center in Adelphi.

"[The event was] an attempt to get folks in the mindset ... to start coming together as a community, all different segments, an develop a collaborative vision of where people would like to see things in the future," said Andrea Davey, Public Affairs Officer with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

The forum is the second economic outlook event in Prince George's County and serves as the opening to a yearlong economic development initiative. The keynote speaker for the day was Richard Florida, bestselling author of works such as The Rise of the Creative Class and Who's Your City? Patricia Thornton, Press Officer with the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation, said "Florida espouses the concept that in this new era we're going to have to think creatively ... and we're going to have to allow for opportunities to shift our direction so we can attract people."

The event opened with presentations by several county leaders, including Kwasi Holman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Prince George's County Economic Development Commission; County Executive Jack B. Johnson and Samuel B. Dean, Chairman of the Prince George's County Council. These focused largely on the county's perseverance despite a shaky economy.

"Tough times never last, but tough people do and I believe that the people of Prince George's county are tough people ... and if we pull together we will create unbelievable opportunities for the next generation and for ourselves." said Johnson.

Following these was a presentation from Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown. Brown acknowledged common fears regarding the faltering economy, weak housing market, unemployment and rising costs of food and fuel. He also noted that despite the shaky economy, Maryland is one of only 11 states that has experienced job growth in the last year and that unemployment in the state remains below the national average. When discussing plans for development in Prince George's County, Brown concentrated on undeveloped land, transit growth and the 60,000 new jobs that will be created due to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission.

"While these challenging times may slow the pace at which we make progress, it should not stop us from making that progress." said Brown.

Following the presentations, several topics of interest to the community were brought up during a question and answer session. Brown stated that there are no plans to reduce property taxes, though Dean mentioned that the state would be helping the county with a $10 million program to assist citizens with foreclosures. The community leaders placed emphasis on the progress that the county has made in education, such as rising test scores and additional resources becoming available for education. Brown also mentioned a pilot program in Anne Arundel County that is intended to raise awareness among students about security clearance – a necessity for many of the new jobs that will be created by BRAC – and how that program, if successful, may also be implemented in Prince George's County.

After the question and answer session, a panel for assessing Prince George's County's economic climate was held. The panel was moderated by Alex Orfinger, publisher of The Washington Business Journal and featured six panelists, including Rick Rudman, Chief Executive Officer and President of software company Vocus; Douglas M. Duncan, Vice President for Administrative Affairs at the University of Maryland, College Park; Dave Ghosal, Chairman and CEO of CSI Engineering, PC; Phillip L. Ross, President of Petrie-Ross Ventures; Fern V. Piret, Director of the Prince George's County Planning Department and Steven Newsome, Director of the Prince George's African American Museum and Cultural Center at North Brentwood.

One of the more integral issues addressed by the panel and discussed throughout the forum was public perception of the county.

"Expect to be the best and express that we are the best in spite of the realities that we all might encounter," said Newsome, while Piret said that a major part of the Envision Prince George's plan was a push to "sell" the county's strong points and improve its image.

"[We need to] keep showing people who are going to invest in the community what is here and what is coming tomorrow." said Ross.

After the panel discussion, Stephen Fuller, Director of the Center for Regional Analysis and Professor of Public Policy at George Mason University presented his thoughts on the county. Like the panel, Fuller's presentation placed importance on the image of the county.

"Prince George's County has to sell what it has good, what it has to offer," said Fuller, adding that it was important for county citizens to spread the word. Fuller also crusaded against some of the county's economic problems, such as underdeveloped land, particularly near Metro stations and poor use of economic generators such as the University of Maryland, College Park.

Florida presented after Fuller. Florida's presentation centered on an explanation of his economic theories, such as his belief that the American economy is shifting from one based on natural resources to one based on human creativity. Florida also believes that in such a creative economy, members of the creative class – workers who focus on creativity, such as health professionals, engineers and scientists, among many others – are vital for economic development and that creativity in all occupations is vital for a strong economy. He referred to this economic shift as being "bigger than the Industrial Revolution" and said that over 10 million new creative jobs will emerge over the next decade. Florida said that one of Prince George's County's strongest advantages was its location in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, which has a strong concentration of the creative class.

Samuel J. Parker, Chairman of the Prince George's County Planning Board, concluded the event. Parker said that future plans for the county included stressing technology and education growth, supporting a creative workforce and encouraging a culture of tolerance in the county. Toward that end, the planning department has lined 42 lend use planning projects, but Parker emphasized that this is just the beginning.

"Now is the time. Everything is changing too fast to wait."

There were mixed reactions to the event. Arthur Turner, Chairman of the Quality of Life Commission for the Prince George's County Chamber of Commerce, said "Information is power only if you use it." Turner expressed his interest in Florida's and Fuller's presentations in particular.

"It's good to have an expert come in and say these things." Joe Tredway of the Laurel Board of Trade, however, mentioned that he was disappointed that county officials and political leaders didn't have more participation in the afternoon's events.