MEDA Members’ Corner:  Al Delia

Al Delia, Vice President for Regional Development and Engagement, Frostburg State University

Explain your background in economic development
More than 30 years leading economic development organizations and operations.

What are your key priorities within your current position?
Proactively and strategically engage the University’s assets and resources with the surrounding region to improve economic opportunities, create and retain jobs, and build wealth.

Does one particular project spark your excitement? If so, describe it below.
Development of the Advanced Technology Center at FSU Innovation Park. It is an effort to foster creation and expansion of new, applied technologies to help create new economic sectors in the region that will lead to generational economic opportunity and jobs.

What professional pressures keep you up at night?
Finding the funding, resources and talent to change the trajectory of the region.

What attributes are unique to your community?
A state public university as the focal point of economic development in a rural region and a willingness of FSU to strategically play a leading role.

What are your locality’s top three “selling points” for future growth?
Location, cost of living, long-term development of strategic workforce needs for targeted sectors.

If you could wave a magic wand, what would you want to work with MEDA on to move Maryland forward?
Focus state economic development resources and initiatives on struggling rural areas of the state.