County Executive's First Business Summit
County Executive Aisha Braveboy Makes Major Announcements At Project Elevate
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LLOYD JEREMIAH
The County Executive’s first business summit on September 10 was more than a meeting and exchange of ideas—it was an announcement of intended deliverables that have the potential to reshape the previous trajectory of doing business in the county.
In their message to the media, the administration included a hint of the plan:
“The Executive Exchange and Business Leadership Summit is Project Elevate For Business - a county business initiative designed to strengthen partnerships between government and business. Attendees will learn about the county procurement process, how to do business with the county and about new policies and initiatives aimed at streamlining the county’s business processes. The County’s goal is to improve the experience of businesses that want to or do business in the County.”
The following is a direct excerpt from the remarks of County Executive Aisha Braveboy.
“We are gathered here today under the banner of unity and partnership. We are elected for the initial development of a community stakeholder. All working together, one vision. To build a stronger, more ambitious, more open, and more responsive development process and procurement system that reflects the promise and potential of our county. And I am proud to say, we are delivering on that promise.
Today, we are unveiling a new chapter in Prince George's County's legacy. Founded as a private center, Prince George's County gave us a new self-proclaimed ‘I'm proud of you’. We are proud to live, work, and believe in the future of Prince George's County. As you may have heard me state, it is good business to do business here in Prince George's County. But with today's announcement, I would say it is good business to do business here in Prince George's County.
For far too long, businesses, both small and large, have faced problems in our procurement and planning processes, which have cost them time. One agency improves, then another reviews, then sometimes we send you back for a change that could have been resolved months before. It is only the agencies that listen to each other. That ends today.
Since taking office, my administration has focused very carefully on listening to our businesses, our residents, and our farmers. And we have encouraged you. We've heard your need for faster turnaround times, less duplication, greater transparency, and stronger agency collaboration. And I want you to hear that we didn't just listen. We acted.
Through my Development Transition Team, which was headed by the Chair of our County Council, Ed Burroughs and through weeks of meetings between the Department of Procurement, Inspection, and Enforcement led by Dr. Abraham, who is out here. Thank you so much for that. And your team, along with our Chair of our Planning Board, Gerald Barnes. Let's give Gerald Barnes a round of applause. And with the strategic guidance of our Planning Director, Felicia Ho. We have reimagined the entire development review process in collaboration with our utility providers and agencies across every level of government.
We have produced the most ambitious, prominent, and developmental reports ever issued in our county. And the impact is real. We know that time, especially for a small business, is a time to open a door. That's why just a few weeks ago, under my direction and with the support and ingenuity of DPIE, we launched a small business fast track program. This initiative identifies commercial projects under 5,000 square feet, such as restaurants, retail, or office renovation, and then fast tracks them through the permitting process. What used to take several months now takes just about 10 business days.”
—Compiled By Carol Day
Full story September 18. Watch This Space
