Gwen McCall Steps Down as Leader of Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation Over 6,000 jobs created and retained during her tenure President/CEO Gwen McCall
Largo, MD – The Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced today that Gwen McCall, President and CEO, will step down to focus her efforts on specific Economic Development projects within Prince George’s County. Over the last four years, on behalf of the County, EDC supported, created, and retained nearly 6,500 jobs. Ms. McCall will remain in her position until new leadership is in place
“Gwen has done a wonderful job leading the EDC and helping to position Prince George’s County as a great place to conduct business. She and her team have been very effective in fostering a stronger relationship with the business community and meeting the County Executive’s goal of growing our commercial tax base,” said Orlan Johnson, Chairman of the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. “With billions of dollars in development projects in the pipeline, our EDC has successfully led the way in attracting new businesses to Prince George’s County as well as helping to prepare our workforce and businesses to capitalize on these opportunities.”
As the designated leader of the County’s business outreach program, Ms. McCall has been a champion in helping to attract and retain major employers to the County such as Nash Finch, VOCUS, 2U, Bozzuto, Roses Department Store, Tanger Outlets, Echo Realty University Town Center Development Project and Information Management Systems. Another significant accomplishment during her tenure has been the critical role EDC plays in the administration of the County’s $50 million dollar Economic Development Incentive Fund that has awarded 22 businesses a total of $17.7 Million in loans. Under Ms. McCall’s leadership, EDC was responsible for launching the county-wide Foreign Trade Zone which will result in significant cost savings for companies who import and export, and the expansion of the Enterprise Zone which allows tax credits for businesses that locate there. She has played an instrumental role, through EDC, in increasing the awareness of the county and what EDC does through a high-level outreach program and EDC’s attendance at various large trade shows, to include ICSC, CoreNet, Bio International, Cyber Maryland, to name a few. EDC also launched new initiatives like, “Thirsty for Business Thursdays” business networking events, Biz Buzz e-newsletter, organized international trade missions to India, Brazil, and China, as well as the revitalization of the County’s Africa Trade Office. In addition, EDC has provided workforce training to over 18,000 residents and employment services to over 40,000 people.
“We have made great strides under Gwen’s leadership and we now have a great foundation to build upon. Gwen and the entire EDC team should be proud of what they have accomplished over the last four years,” said County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. “She has been an important and dedicated member of an economic development partnership that is strengthening our economy and moving this County forward.”
The Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation provides business services that help attract and retain businesses, create high-quality jobs, and expand Prince George’s County’s commercial tax base. EDC’s mission of business attraction and expansion is accomplished by developing businesses, providing technical assistance to small business services, cultivating international businesses, offering workforce services, and planning effective marketing/communications strategies.
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