FY 23 Approved Budget Book

OFFICE OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ORIGIN/PURPOSE: The Office of Community & Economic Development strives to build strong communities, industries, and markets in the County and provide opportunities for all County residents. The Office seeks to facilitate business investment, entrepreneurial development, housing initiatives, and job creation to foster a diverse economy and expand the local tax base, enhancing quality of life for those who live, work, play, learn, invest and stay in Harford County. Per Executive Order 18-01, the functions of the Office of Economic Development and Housing & Community Development, formerly the Housing Agency, were consolidated under the Office of Community & Economic Development. The Economic Development Commission was created by Harford County Code Chapter 9, Article XXXI, Section 186, and Bill No. 78-3 and amended by Bill No. 79-11 to create the Office of Economic Development to advance the general economic welfare of Harford County. The Office of Economic Development and its Economic Development Advisory Board market the County as an area for new business to relocate; strengthen expansion of resident industry and small businesses; explore programs that create job and career opportunities for County residents; and expand availability of financial resources for industry and small business. The Housing Agency was created by Harford County Code Chapter 9, Article XXXII, Section 189, Executive Order No. 83-1, to accept and administer Federal, State and local housing funding and to address the housing needs of residents and assist with housing issues. Through Community Development, qualified organizations are assisted in delivering public service needs which may not be provided within County Government structure. MISSION STATEMENT: THE OFFICE STRIVES TO BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES, INDUSTRIES AND MARKETS IN THE COUNTY AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL COUNTY RESIDENTS. THE OFFICE SEEKS TO FACILITATE BUSINESS INVESTMENT, ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING INITIATIVES, JOB CREATION TO FOSTER A DIVERSE ECONOMY AND EXPAND THE LOCAL TAX BASE ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE WHO LIVE, WORK, PLAY, LEARN, INVEST AND STAY IN HARFORD COUNTY.

FY 23 GOALS: Stability and Growth: generate and retain quality employment and housing opportunities among Harford County-based companies to increase tax revenue.

Development and Attraction: market the County for its premiere mid-Atlantic location, business climate, community resources, and robust logistics.

Entrepreneurial Innovation: maximize co-located services in support of business startups and entrepreneurs.

Strategic Alliances: support strategic alliances through leadership, financial, and consultation services in order to leverage opportunities within northeastern Maryland and the Greater Baltimore Region.

Transportation: provide access to a safe, dependable and effective transportation system to the County's business community and transit-dependent population by connecting citizens with jobs and services.

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