A Birds-Eye-View of Maryland Economic Development
In July 2018 I completed MEDA’s Basic Economic Development Course in Baltimore, MD where I had the opportunity to learn basic practices around economic development, participate in a case study focused on the site location process, and attend the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) Summer Conference. The course provided me a bird’s-eye view of the various economic development initiatives the state of Maryland stewarded in 2018 to promote economic well-being and a high quality of life for their communities. It was this course that helped me find my new position as the Business Operations Associate with the Howard County Economic Development Authority.
After receiving my B.A. in Political Science from the University of Vermont, I worked for a small municipality, Winooski Vermont, as the Community Engagement Coordinator. Surrounded by a supporting and talented staff. I developed an interest and curiosity around Economic Development initiatives. Their Community & Economic Development Officer and my mentor, Heather Carrington, ultimately encouraged me to look into professional development opportunities through IEDC near my home-town in Baltimore County, Maryland since I was planning to move back to the region.
The insights I gained through MEDA’s Basic Economic Development Course and the relationships I built with seasoned professionals in Economic Development helped me to envision my future in the field. It was a great experience to learn alongside Economic Development professionals from across the nation who were all eager to share advice and help accelerate my job search. The connections fostered and information learned during MEDA’s course was critical to beginning my career in Economic Development. I’m thrilled to join the talented diverse team at the Howard County Economic Development Authority by supporting their business operations and analyzing the forces that drive our local economy.
