MEDA Announces 2018 Award Winners

BALTIMORE, Md. — The Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) has announced the recipients of the 2018 MEDA Awards, which celebrate the people, projects and programs that are transforming lives by creating opportunities, inspiring innovation and enriching communities across the state of Maryland.

Sponsored by Miles & Stockbridge P.C., the MEDA Awards showcase efforts to attract new businesses, assist existing businesses, redevelop business districts, market communities and support economic development throughout the state.

Development Real Estate Company (DEVRECO) earned the Economic Development Project Award in the small community category. DEVRECO is receiving the award due to its revitalization efforts of The Cadmus Building, located in Easton, Maryland. Talbot County Economic Development & Tourism nominated the business for this award.

Susan Gage Caterer earned the Economic Development Project Award in the large community category. Susan Gage Caterer is receiving the award due to a $4.6 million redevelopment, which moved the company from its Oxon Hill location to a 31,000-square-foot warehouse space in Hyattsville. The redevelopment efforts allowed Susan Gage Caterer to hire an additional 189 employees—62 percent of which are Prince George’s County residents. FSC First and Prince George’s County Economic Development nominated the business for this award.

Additionally, Hekemian and Co. earned the Economic Development Project Award in the large community category. Hekemian and Co. is receiving the award due to its redevelopment work of The Rotunda in Baltimore. Baltimore Development Corporation nominated the business for this award.

Ratcliffe Foundation Shore Hatchery in the Perdue School of Business at Salisbury University earned the Economic Development Program Award in the small community category. Ratcliffe Foundation Shore Hatchery in the Perdue School of Business at Salisbury University is receiving the award due to its creation of 179 jobs and generation of $4 million in revenues. The program was nominated for this award by Salisbury University.

Frederick County Craft Beverage Growth Program earned the Economic Development Program Award in the large community category. Frederick County Craft Beverage Growth Program is receiving the award due to its role in increasing Maryland’s beverage industry—with Frederick County now boasting 30 wineries, breweries, distilleries, cideries and meaderies, representing a 68 percent growth since 2015. The Frederick County Office of Economic Development submitted this program nomination.

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Experience, in Cambridge, Maryland, earned the MEDA Marketing Award in the small community category. The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Experience is receiving the award due to surpassing its stated goals of 75,000 visitors by 20 percent, and increasing the tax revenue for Dorchester County. The Maryland Department of Commerce submitted this award nomination.

“The New Tech Hub on the Bay,” a digital media campaign, earned the MEDA Marketing Award in the large community category. “The New Tech Hub on the Bay” is receiving the award for launching a video campaign which highlighted Anne Arundel County’s technology companies. AAEDC chose an underutilized marketing target—residents and workers—and put funds in place to make use of social media influencers. The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation submitted this award nomination.

David Ryan has been selected for induction into the MEDA Hall of Fame. Ryan will be recognized for his leadership skills and contributions that have excelled the practice of economic development throughout his career. For more than 24 years, Ryan has served as the executive director of the Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development Corporation. Additionally, he is the longest actively serving economic development director for a major jurisdiction in the state of Maryland. During his tenure, he has helped create a cluster of wireless component manufacturers and a growing life science sector. He has helped broker more than $25 million, involving the retention or addition of more than 5,000 jobs in both large and small firms operating in various industries. Ryan is a former MEDA president and is a member of the MEDA Council of Past Presidents.

Heather Gramm, CEcD, has been selected for the MEDA Rising Star Award. Gramm, who serves as assistant director of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, leading the business development team. Additionally, Gramm takes on initiatives to create growth opportunities to expand Frederick County’s attraction and retention of business. She has also been instrumental in spearheading several projects at ThermoFisher, Lonza and AstraZennca. Having begun her career at the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Gramm has returned to bring her more than 15 years of experience to further the goal of economic growth in Frederick County. In addition to other community service and volunteer efforts, Gramm has also served on the MEDA board in a number of capacities—including as chair of the Professional Development Committee and currently as vice president.

“We are proud of all of the MEDA Award winners,” said MEDA executive director Pam Ruff. “These exceptional projects, programs and campaigns—as well as the people behind them—show how dedicated our members are to the economic growth of Maryland.”

The awards banquet will be held April 30 during the 2018 MEDA Annual Conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge, Maryland. The conference is slated for April 29-May 1.

Visit www.MEDAmd.com to learn more.

 

About MEDA

MEDA is a nonprofit organization of economic development professionals. Established in 1961, MEDA members promote the economic well-being of Maryland by working to improve the state’s business climate and the professionalism of those in the field of economic development.

MEDA’s membership includes economic development practitioners employed by government, businesses, and chamber of commerce and other professionals with interest in the economy of Maryland. Through its regular meetings, special programs and projects, MEDA members address such diverse issues as local planning, workforce, transportation, international trade, tourism and finance.

MEDA members work diligently transforming lives by creating opportunities, inspiring innovation and enriching communities in Maryland. TO learn more about MEDA, visit www.MEDAmd.com.

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