Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation seeks steady funding to support strategic plan, Glen Burnie revitalization and business programs

Amy Gowen, president and CEO of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AEDC), presented the corporation's operating request and recent work on May 12, 2025, telling council members the agency is asking the county to maintain a $2.89 million budget that primarily supports operations, lending and local revitalization programs.

Gowen summarized a recently completed strategic-planning process that engaged roughly 70 stakeholders and yielded a refreshed mission and four core values (connectivity, responsiveness, creativity and excellence). "We're seeking a total of a little over $2,890,000.00," she told the council, describing the budget as "a maintenance of effort" that funds salaries, financial services and some agricultural programs.

Why it matters: AEDC functions as a public-private intermediary that runs small-business lending, grant programs and town-center revitalization efforts that often leverage additional state and private funding. Council funding supports day-to-day operations and capacity to manage grant awards on behalf of the county.

Key items Gowen described: - Town center revitalization: AEDC's town-center revitalization manager (funded by a $100,000 county allocation started in FY2023) helped AEDC bring $500,000 of DHCD funding and additional private grants to Glen Burnie, including placemaking, wayfinding signage, an artist mural and a farmers market boost. - Leveraged grants and lending: Gowen said AEDC leveraged private-sector and state funds to support local businesses, including $278,000 tied to a place-making grant for Glen Burnie and $1,000,000 awarded in grants for businesses affected by a bridge collapse (administered to local businesses through AEDC). - Development work for county projects: AEDC managed an RFP for a county parcel at 7409 BNA Boulevard and is assisting the county with a forthcoming master development agreement. - Outreach and programs: AEDC highlighted small-business training (including a Spanish-language cohort), the vault loan program ($22 million invested across 80 loans and 2,000 jobs claimed by AEDC), an ag business improvement grant and a new business leadership expo. Gowen emphasized heightened marketing and analytics work to expand AEDC's reach.

Gowen also described a partnership to co-exhibit with the Maryland Department of Commerce at the SelectUSA event to support attraction efforts and noted AEDC did not request new county positions in the current budget cycle.

Council response and next steps: Council members thanked AEDC for its work and asked for clarification about specific lines on page 116 of the budget book (AEDC's operating unit). Gowen said she would follow up with additional detail on grant-funded items and project-specific reductions.

Ending: Gowen invited additional briefings when the AEDC strategic plan is finalized (targeted for late June) and said AEDC staff will continue working on county revitalization and attraction projects as the council reviews the budget.