Hoyer Announces Grant Funding for U.S. Economic Development Administration, University Center

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) announced that a $100,000 grant was awarded to the U.S. Economic Development Administration, University Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. The grant will fund the fourth year of a five-year program program between the University of Maryland and Morgan State University to foster economic development in Maryland.

"I'm pleased to announce the EDA University Center has received grant funding to continue working with local communities to expand economic development opportunities," stated Congressman Hoyer. "From St. Mary's County to College Park, the EDA program is having a significant impact on communities across the Fifth District and the state of Maryland, and I am confident that it will continue to spur innovation, grow our economy, and help create opportunities for more Marylanders."

"We look forward to demonstrating some real impacts during this fourth year, including the formalization of a broad-based advisory committee comprised of senior economic development leaders from UMCP and Morgan State, local and state governments, and economic development organizations in Maryland," said  C. Scott Dempwolf, Director of the University of Maryland - Morgan State Joint Center for Economic Development.

"The faculty and students at this University Center have the resources to drive the much needed innovation and economic growth our state needs today," said David Cronrath, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. "It is part of our continued commitment as a land-grant institution to use our resources."

"We are looking forward to continue working with the community to develop  economic, community and physical development plans for the revitalization," said Siddhartha Sen, Director of the University of Maryland - Morgan State Joint Center for Economic Development.

"This has been  the impetus for initiating and planning the first phase of Morgan Community Mile – a community based and community driven university/community partnership," said Mary Anne Akers, Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning at Morgan State University.

The EDA University Center provides Maryland communities with targeted assistance, including research commercialization, workforce development and entrepreneurship, as well as business counseling services. The Centers also help local organizations conduct preliminary feasibility studies, analyze data, and convene customized seminars and workshops on topics such as regional strategic planning and capital budgeting. The Center is currently focusing on:

• Working with the University of Maryland, College Park on the East Campus Development plan.
• Working with St. Mary's County on their new Comprehensive Economic Development Plan.
• Creating economic, community and physical development plans for the revitalization of the Morgan Mile, a substantial redevelopment area surrounding Morgan State University.
• Working with Montgomery County's Department of Business Development to provide continuously current employment and commuting data for their website.
• Mapping and modeling innovation and entrepreneurial networks using advanced analytical methods like Social Network Analysis, to provide economic development practitioners and policy makers with new tools to visualize the spatial, social and technological organization of innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the state.
• Creating on-line professional development and economic training courses for local planning practitioners.

Click here for more information on the U.S. Economic Development Administration, University Center.