Grant will fund continued economic development assistance for Maryland communities
A $100,000 grant has been awarded to the U.S. Economic Development Administration, University Center at the University of Maryland, College Park (EDA University Center) to fund their continued efforts in fostering innovation and economic development across the state. The grant was announced yesterday by Maryland Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) and will support the fourth year of a five-year collaboration between UMD and Morgan State University in Baltimore.
“We look forward to demonstrating some real impact during this fourth year, including the formalization of a broad-based advisory committee comprised of senior economic development leaders from UMD and Morgan State, local and state governments and economic development organizations in Maryland,” said C. Scott Dempwolf, Director of the University of Maryland - Morgan State Joint Center for Economic Development.
The grant announcement comes on the heels of two significant projects recently announced by the EDA University Center: the creation of the first-ever Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for St. Mary’s County and an East Campus Development Plan for the University of Maryland, College Park. Work with St. Mary’s County commenced this fall and will help prepare and guide future planning efforts, government initiatives and economic growth. It will also feature enhanced cluster analysis using innovation network modeling and analysis methods developed by University Center Director, Dr. Dempwolf. This unique tool can identify opportunities—like start-ups and new technologies—that are often missed through traditional modeling.
The mission of the EDA University Center is to provide targeted assistance to Maryland communities through research, workforce development and entrepreneurship, as well as business counseling services. The Center also helps local organizations conduct preliminary feasibility studies, analyze data and convene customized seminars and workshops on topics such as regional strategic planning and capital budgeting. Over the past four years, the Center’s staff have created plans for the revitalization of Baltimore’s Morgan Mile, developed a series of online professional development and economic training courses for area planning professionals and procured continuous commuting and employment data for Montgomery County’s Department of Business Development.
“The faculty and students at this University Center have the resources to drive the much needed innovation and economic growth our state needs today,” said David Cronrath, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. “It is part of our continued commitment as a land-grant institution to use our resources.”
To learn more about the University of Maryland U.S. EDA University Center and its projects, visit the Center’s website.