Apr 18

Apr 18 Celebrating A Win For Prince George's

In His Final State of the County Address, Rushern Baker Takes A Bow

Well into a 45 minute speech before some 650 guests, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III recalls his first trip to New York after being elected to office in 2010. It was not a fun trip. He was being summoned to discuss the county’s AAA bond rating and whether the jurisdiction would keep its hard earned credit standing.

Prince George's County Executive State of the County 2018 4 18 18. COURTESY: PGC GOV

With all that was occurring in the county at the time, there was reason to be concerned. Mr. Baker insisted that he had ‘hopes and dreams’ for the county. But the fiscal board wasn’t having it: “hopes and dreams don’t pay bills,” they reminded the new executive. He would have to dig deeper and do better.

Fast forward to 2018 and the county is leading the state in job growth and has solidified over $9 billion in economic development investment.

“’Who knew,’” the county executive mused that the AAA board must have said of the positive economic direction of Prince George’s. “We knew,” he answered looking into the audience. “I knew and you knew.”

The executive briefly addressed the elephant in the room: education and the challenges Prince George’s Public Schools are enduring in the media. [click below for full speech]

M.H. Jim Estepp, president & CEO of the Greater Prince George's Business Roundtable.

Mr. Baker joined the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable to deliver his 8th and final, “State of the County” address at The Hotel at the University of Maryland. The County Executive shared his administration’s legacy, accomplishments, and the strong foundation of progress with regard to the economy, such as:

Leading the State of Maryland in Job Growth for five Consecutive Quarters
Attracting over $9 billion dollars in economic development investment
Increasing property values over 60%
Expanding the County’s TOD offerings by creating economic opportunities around the County’s Metro Stations and building the new Purple Line
Creating a new healthcare industry through the building of the new University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center in Largo as well as attracting healthcare facilities, doctors, and more outpatient care throughout the County
Decreasing crime and increasing education opportunities

“In just seven years, we have become the county that everyone is talking about and our resurgence has been pretty close to incredible,” Baker said.