Yesterday, the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) met with business delegates that will be joining County Executive Baker on an historic nine day exploratory business mission to Korea and China later this month. The purpose of the mission trip is to establish and nurture relationships that will pave the way for future business in Korea and China.

Today could very possibly be the first day of the rest of the lives of more than 300 returning citizens who packed into the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation's (EDC) headquarters this morning to take part in its '2nd Chance Job Fair'. Over 25 employers with current job openings and willing to hire returning citizens participated in the Job Fair and held one-on-one interviews on site. As the EDC continues its efforts to ensure that every resident of Prince George's County is gainfully employed, it dedicated the entire month of March as 'ReEntry Month' to assist the residents that are returning to Prince George's County after a period of incarceration. EDC President and CEO Jim Coleman, joined by Workforce Development Director Walter Simmons, was among the local and state stakeholders in attendance to encourage the Job Fair attendees to keep pressing forward.

Today was the first day of summer for several Prince George's County Youth CareerConnect Program (YCC) students. More than 200 students filed into the Student Center at Bowie State University for an exclusive Job Fair. Over 25 employer partners and exhibitors came out to meet and interview YCC students who are excited about getting a jumpstart on their careers. After a rousing pep talk from Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) President and CEO Jim Coleman and YCC Program Director Yolanda Tully, students were given the chance to put their interview skills to the test.

Yesterday, Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation President and CEO, Jim Coleman, participated in a panel discussion hosted by FSC First. The ‘Economic Development and Bank Financing Forum’ provided a platform for leaders in economic development and bank financing to provide updates on exciting projects that are under way as a result of strategic lending partnerships between banks and financial institutions. These institutions provide both traditional and non-traditional loan options to local businesses. Mr. Coleman highlighted the fact that companies in Prince George’s County are looking to increase their financing to complete various projects during 2017.

Yesterday, techies, developers, designers, and entrepreneurs gathered in National Harbor for Prince George's County's first TechBreakfast event. Hosted by the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), in partnership with TechBreakfast, founded by Ron Schmelzer, TechBreakfast's 'Chief Event Wrangler', well over 100 tech industry professionals and investors filled the conference room at Spartan Business & Technologies as four tech entrepreneurs pitched their products. EDC President and CEO Jim Coleman was extremely pleased with the outcome of the event.

Today, the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation continued its 'ReEntry Month' activities by hosting the 'Moving Forward: Overcoming a Criminal Background Seminar' at its headquarters in Largo, Maryland. More than 100 returning citizens joined state and local reentry stakeholders to hear about the programs and resources available that can literally change their lives. EDC President and CEO Jim Coleman and the panelists offered not only encouraging words, but practical tools that can be used to secure gainful employment.

On Friday, March 10, 2017, the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), in partnership with the County's Workforce Development Board kicked off 'ReEntry Month' by hosting a Community ReEntry and Employment Discussion. More than 100 stakeholders gathered for an open dialogue about the barriers returning citizens encounter when coming back to the community. This panel discussion included representatives from the Office of County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III, the local law enforcement community, the County Department of Corrections, the County Department of Social Services, Maryland Legal Aid, the business community and the non-profit community who provide resource assistance to returning citizens. EDC President and CEO Jim Coleman and Workforce Development Board Vice President Rosalind White welcomed the stakeholders and congratulated them for being a part of such an important forum.

Today, more than 100 candidates crowded the One Stop Career Center in at the Economic Development Corporation headquarters in Largo, Maryland with high expectations of securing gainful employment at the Capitol Heights Dave & Buster's. This popular restaurant and entertainment venue that consistently hosts capacity crowds Thursday through Sunday partnered with the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to fill more than 50 high-wage positions, many paying upwards of $250 per night. EDC President and CEO Jim Coleman along with EDC Chief Operating Officer Paul Rowe welcomed the candidates and wished them the best of luck in becoming a part of a great international company like Dave & Buster's.

Yesterday, County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III was one of the key panelists that participated in the Socrata Connect 2017 Conference at the Gaylord Hotel at National Harbor.   Economic Development Corporation President Jim Coleman was also on hand at the Conference and served as the moderator for a lively discussion on how the use of data can make government initiatives work more effectively and create life-changing results for residents during the "Lead with Performance Data" panel at the conference.  County Executive Baker highlighted how the County's Transforming Neighborhoods Initiative (TNI) used data to focus government resources to help improve conditions in some of the County's most challenged neighborhoods.

On Tuesday, the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) brought together 20 key business leaders from the County's Latin small business community for a frank conversation about getting connected to resources at the first Latin Small Business Roundtable. During this exclusive meeting, EDC President and CEO Jim Coleman, along with the EDC's Latin Small Business Liaison Rocio Treminio-Lopez talked to Latin business owners from a variety of industry sectors about how partnering with the EDC can help their businesses grow.