PGCEDC Expansion Starts Here | The Podcast Host Moderates Panel at the 3rd Annual Greenbelt Economic Development Conference

On April 3, 2025, the City of Greenbelt welcomed over 125 business and community leaders to its Third Annual Economic Development Business-Growth Breakfast Conference at the Crown Plaza Hotel-Greenbelt. Themed “Creating Sustainable Economic-Growth Opportunities and Attracting New Business Investment Within Maryland’s Municipalities,” this year’s event centered on the implementation of Governor Wes Moore’s “Maryland Growth Agenda.”

The conference featured an engaging keynote by Maryland Department of Commerce Acting Secretary Harry Coker, who detailed the Governor’s FY 2026 economic development investments. The event also showcased a dynamic panel moderated by PGCEDC's Expansion Starts Here | The Podcast host Rhett Butler. Esteemed panelists included Julia Glanz (DHCD), Stephen Rice (Commerce), Wallace Sermons (DGS), and Walter Simmons (Employ Prince George’s), who shared actionable insights on housing, workforce development, business attraction, and procurement opportunities in Maryland.

Expansion Starts Here!

Korea Trade Mission Information Session

Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (PGCEDC) is hosting an informational session for the upcoming Korea Trade Mission.

Date:

Thursday, April 17th, 2025

Time: 10:00 AM

Location:

1801 McCormick Drive, Suite 450, Largo, MD 20774

REGISTER TODAY

WTOP With honey bars and stir-fries, honeygrow continues expansion with 2 new Md. locations

Philadelphia-based fast casual restaurant Honeygrow, whose restaurants have honey bars and a mix-and-match stir-fry menu, has opened its seventh location in the D.C. area, in Bowie, Maryland, with another opening in Glen Burnie this summer.

The 13-year-old company now has 17 locations in Maryland and Northern Virginia, and more than 40 companywide, with others in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, as well as Delaware, New York, New Jersey and Ohio.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Commercial Cafe  FNRP Signs 3 New Retail Tenants to Brandywine Crossing

New Jersey-based private equity commercial real estate firm First National Realty Partners (FNRP) recently announced the addition of three new tenants to the roster of its open-air shopping center in Brandywine, Md.

FNRP is expanding the dining mix at Brandywine Crossing with the signing of two new leases: Southern-inspired breakfast and brunch destination Another Broken Egg Café and quick-service concept Buffalo Wild Wings GO. The two new breakfast and convenient dining options are expected to open for business toward the end of 2025.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Washington Business Journal Whole Foods-Anchored Shopping Center in Prince George’s Changes Hands for $69M

First Washington Realty LLC recently bought a Riverdale Park shopping center, anchored by Prince George’s County’s first and only Whole Foods Market, for a little over $69 million.

The Bethesda-based real estate investment and management firm acquired the nearly 207,000-square-foot The Station, located at 6611 Baltimore Ave., just down the road from The University of Maryland, College Park, on March 21.

READ FULL STORY HERE

WTOP Purple Line ‘Dynamic Testing’ of Light Rail Cars to Begin in Maryland

There will be light rail cars running on a mile-long track of the Purple Line in Maryland as “dynamic testing” begins.

The testing will be adjacent to the project’s operations and maintenance facility along Veterans Parkway in Glenridge, Maryland, according to a news release from the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration.

READ FULL STORY HERE

DC News Now New renovations coming to Prince George’s Stadium

The Baltimore Orioles season begins Thursday, but the team’s Double-A affiliate, the Chesapeake Baysox, is getting an upgrade in Prince George’s County.

Maryland Park and Planning Commission, Attain Sports, and the Maryland Stadium Authority are all working together for renovations on Prince George’s Stadium. 

On Thursday, those involved in the project came to the stadium for the official groundbreaking. Tara Jackson, the acting county executive in Prince George’s County, says this move is bigger than just baseball.

READ FULL STORY BY Tyger Munn HERE

Three | E 60 New Bill Aims To Help Federal Workers In Prince George’s County

A new bill introduced in Prince George’s County looks to assist federal workers who were furloughed or laid off.

It comes after the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, slashed thousands of federal jobs.

“If our federal workers are unable to pay their mortgages and fall back, I mean, it’s going to have a huge impact,” said Councilwoman Wala Blegay, one of the sponsors of the bill.

READ FULL STORY BY HERE

The PG Post Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center Celebrates 50 Years with Events Focused on Reducing Maternal and Infant Mortality

Meeting the behavioral needs of residents in Prince George’s County is the motiva- tion behind a new partnership between luminis Health Doc- tors Community Medical Center (lHDCMC) and Prince

George’s County. today, victo- ria Bayless, chief executive of- ficer for luminis Health, and Deneen Richmond, president of lHDCMC, joined County ex- ecutive angela alsobrooks for the official groundbreaking for the Behavioral Health services Building.

Read Full Story by JustIn MCleod HERE

Washington Business Journal MGM National Harbor to expand high-limit gaming area by relocating casino regulators

MGM National Harbor is making more room for its high rollers.

The Prince George’s County resort is advancing plans to expand its dedicated high-limit section with larger areas for both slots and table games and a new bar, according to multiple permits filed in February with the county, at least one of which has already been approved.

READ FULL STORY BY Michael Neibauer HERE

NOW HIRING: Business Development Manager – Information Technology

We're Hiring: Business Development Manager – Information Technology

Are you a dynamic professional who wants to lead IT business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts?

Help drive innovation, create high-wage jobs, and position the County as a premier destination for tech companies.

Apply today and be part of shaping the future of tech in Prince George’s County!

APPLY TODAY

ISBI Truist Foundation Grant

PGCEDC’s Innovation Station Business Incubator (ISBI) has received a small Truist Foundation Grant. The grant will fund a program designed to help ISBI members, graduates, and prospects reach and maintain the outlined 2025 S.M.A.R.T. specific to the business development effort. 

ISBI leadership has been executing the Truist Foundation Grant objectives over the last seven months. It provided direct grant catalyst funding to three technology innovators running a multi-month AI-focused business development accelerator program with hands-on workshops and consultative office hours.

To enable improved business development and sales activity and outcomes, providing a series of executive leadership and business development-focused CEO Advisory Board/Problem-Solving Sessions coupled with consultative office hours, business coaching meetups, sales, leadership, and accountability follow-up sessions. 

Pictured are some participants in a hands-on AI workshop, creating a sales agent and implementing elements to connect to the augment search tool. The three companies were competitively selected for the Truist Foundation catalyst grants. The $1,000 grants to each business fund were Waya, PFF, and US Plasma. 

Expansion Starts Here!

PGCEDC Congratulates EDC Board Member Marva Jo Camp, Esq.

Marva Jo Camp, Esq. Named 2025 MEDA Volunteer of the Year

With over 30 years of visionary leadership in Prince George's County, Marva Jo has profoundly contributed to business growth and community empowerment. As a board member of the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation, she leverages her extensive legal expertise to foster regional growth and opportunity. Her volunteer efforts mirror her professional accomplishments, reflecting a deep commitment to community empowerment.

These efforts include many noteworthy achievements such as the creation of a community center, a summer camp that combines sports, STEM, and arts education, enriching the lives of K-12 youth while supporting local businesses, and her pro bono work for the Prince George's African American Museum, which has strengthened its role as a cultural and economic hub. Through these initiatives and more, Marva Jo exemplifies the transformative power of volunteerism in driving sustainable community and economic growth.

Expansion Starts Here!

DC News Now - PGC Maryland business owner Waterhole to help people live healthier lives

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — Lisa Harris is the owner of The Waterhole, a juice bar in Mount Rainier, Md. She was inspired to start her business in memory of her late father, TJ.

Harris likes to promote healthier eating habits to produce better health outcomes.

“My father died from cancer, and he was not that healthy,” said Harris. “I want to help people fast track their nutrients, and they may not want to eat their green, but maybe they will drink their greens.”

READ FULL STORY BY MARK HALL HERE

Washington Informer Washington Business Journal - to Honor CEO of one of the largest credit unions in Greenbelt, Maryland

Kenneth Kelly, CEO of Strativia based in Largo, Maryland and Girardo Smith, CEO of the Educational Systems Federal Credit Union (EFSFCU), are two of the 25 honorees for the Washington Business Journal’s (WBJ) 2025 Diversity in Business Awards.  

These awards, hosted on April 24, recognize leaders of color who champion business excellence and foster workforce diversity. 

“This annual signature award program, now in its 18th year, is a celebration of Greater Washington’s diverse population and its importance to the local economy,” said Caitlin Lyons, Washington Business Journal special projects editor.

Lyons explained how the 2025 awardees, such as Kelly, were selected.

“Honorees are chosen through an independent editorial review, with selections based entirely on their merits, achievements and contributions to their organizations and local community,” Lyons said. “Commercial interests with the Business Journal are not considered. We selected this year’s class from a highly competitive nomination pool. They hail from the utility, banking, tech, nonprofit, hospitality, government contracting, professional services and health care sectors.” 

READ FULL STORY BY JAMES WRIGHT JR HERE

The Secret DC- Maryland Is 2025’s 6th ‘Most Innovative State,’ per Report.

WalletHub recently released a study that took a close look across 25 unique key indicators that measured the level of innovation in every state across the United States!

Check Out the list HERE

Washington Business Journal - Sports complex anchors $1.3B South Lake mixed-use development near D.C.

In an innovative departure from traditional mixed-use developments, a massive new project in Bowie, Maryland, is demonstrating how sports tourism can drive retail and residential growth. South Lake, spanning 381 acres at the intersection of U.S. 301 and Maryland Route 214, represents one of the largest and most ambitious developments in the D.C./Baltimore/Annapolis corridor.

READ FUL STORY By NAI Michael HERE

Expansion Starts Here for A.I. APPLICATIONS OPEN MARCH 28TH

Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, in collaboration with the renowned Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland (UMD), is proud to announce the relaunch of a transformational program designed to help small businesses harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence.

What’s Included:

• 5-week online certificate course

• In-person AI Bootcamp at UMD

• Led by expert faculty from the Smith School

Who Should Apply:

Small business owners in Prince George’s County

LEARN MORE

Key Dates:

Application Period: March 28 – April 4, 2025

Notification of Acceptance: April 9, 2025

Online Course: April 9 – May 13, 2025

Optional Recap Sessions: April 16, 23, 30, May 7

In-Person AI Bootcamp: May 14, 2025 at UMD

Potential Second Cohort Launch: May 15, 2025

REGISTER TODAY

Government Contracting Academy Series APPLICATIONS OPEN MARCH 26TH!

APPLICATION OPENS: MARCH 26,2025

APPLICATION CLOSES: April 9, 2025

PGCEDC, in partnership with the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce, presents the Government Contracting Academy Series, a structured seven-week training program designed to help small businesses and entrepreneurs understand and navigate government contracting. The sessions will provide foundational knowledge, marketing strategies, proposal development techniques, and compliance guidance.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Start Date: April 15, 2024

Duration: 7 Weeks

Schedule: Every Tuesday from 9 AM to 12 PM

Location and Format: Virtual for the first six weeks; Graduation in person

Class size: 25-30 individuals

Note: Registration does not guarantee successful enrollment.

REGISTER TODAY

CEO Breakfast Series Applications Open March 26th!

APPLICATION OPENS: MARCH 26,2025

APPLICATION CLOSES: APRIL 9,2025

Government Contracting Academy Series

PGCEDC, in partnership with the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce, presents this exclusive event that brings together local business leaders, innovators, and changemakers for a morning of networking and meaningful discussion. You'll hear from top executives and industry experts on topics that matter to today’s CEOs and decision-makers.

Program Overview

Dates: Third Thursdays in April, May, and June 2025

Time: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM

Location: Woodmore Country Club in Mitchellville, MD

Class Size: 15-20 CEOs

Note: This program will cost approximately $25 upon enrollment.

REGISTER TODAY