When Vennard Wright promotes the two companies he founded in the last four years, he also explains how the technological talent is developing in his home county – a place that has overcome obstacles to establish itself as one of the drivers of Maryland’s strongest growth.
The change in Prince George’s County is obvious to people who have long lived and worked in this majority black community that borders Washington, DC and the Potomac River. The county has almost fully recovered from the considerable job losses caused by the pandemic and has bounced back from the Great Recession, when it had the highest foreclosure rate in the state.
Why we wrote this
A focused story
Like many places, Prince George’s County, Maryland, has struggled during the pandemic. As a majority-Black community, it also faced historical discrimination. Yet it emerged as an economic bright spot.
Signs of the county’s revitalization range from splash announcements, such as the FBI last year choosing Prince George as the site of its headquarters, to ambitious infrastructure projects, such as plans for 10 subway stations of additional meters. Between 2011 and 2021, the county led the state in job growth. The county’s rapid recovery could provide some models for other communities.
“This growth is not by accident,” says David Iannucci, president and CEO of Prince George’s County Economic Development Corp., pointing to efforts by the county and state to stimulate jobs, training opportunities and federal funding. .
When Vennard Wright promotes the two companies he founded in the last four years, he also explains how the technological talent is developing in his home county – a place that has overcome obstacles to establish itself as one of the drivers of Maryland’s strongest growth.
The change in Prince George’s County, Maryland, is obvious to people who have long lived and worked in this community bordering Washington, DC and the Potomac River. The county has almost fully recovered from the considerable job losses caused by the pandemic and has bounced back from the Great Recession, when it had the highest foreclosure rate in the state.
Prince George, with a population of almost 1 million people, is also the second richest part of the majority of America – the black county – just surpassed by the neighboring Charles County – but the businesses and people here have struggled during the pandemic, like the rest of the country. The county’s rapid recovery could provide some models for other communities.
Why we wrote this
A focused story
Like many places, Prince George’s County, Maryland, has struggled during the pandemic. As a majority-Black community, it also faced historical discrimination. Yet it emerged as an economic bright spot.
“This growth is not by accident,” says David Iannucci, president and CEO of Prince George’s County Economic Development Corp., pointing to efforts by the county and state to stimulate jobs, training opportunities and federal funding. .
Signs of the county’s revitalization range from splash announcements, such as the FBI last year choosing Prince George as the site of its headquarters, to ambitious infrastructure projects, such as plans for 10 additional Metro metro. Between 2011 and 2021, the county led the state in job growth.
A combination of federal dollars and the prevalence of solipreneurs — people who individually own and operate a business — has created a renaissance in the county over the past few years, says Mr. Wright, a lifelong resident of Prince George. He worked with a county workforce development group to help hire interns and young people interested in working in information technology.