Since taking office in 2022, Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly said he has been working to build partnerships with the county’s business community and has created 850 new jobs and made more than $547 million in capital investments.
During his Harford County Chamber of Commerce State of the County Address last week, Cassilly praised his economic development team for visiting 763 local businesses last year to help them identify needs, solve issues and connect them to county resources.
“The bottom line is, we want to be partners in your business success, which means our economic development team is here to help you,” Cassilly said to the room full of local business owners. “We want you to grow and thrive.”
Cassilly, a Republican, said state policy, including tax increases, is “at odds” with Harford’s healthy business environment, and has posed challenges for local businesses and caused the economy to lag.
In his efforts to increase county revenue during his first two years in office, Cassilly has said he will not raise county taxes and instead will cut costs and support the county’s business community and economic development.
“We can’t tax our way out of problems,” Cassilly said. “Our fiscal challenges have to be met with efficiencies and economic development.”
Cassilly said he has supported the local business community through the creation of the Harford County Government Apprenticeship Program that has 250 public school students working at 168 local businesses.
“Our best investment is paying for the education of homegrown talent and then having those students return and work here — reinvesting in Harford County, which gives us a return on investment,” Cassilly said.
The county also started a “business showcase” in partnership with the chamber of commerce, Economic Development Advisory Board and the county school system to connect high school and college students with local manufacturers.
Cassilly said the event resulted in numerous hires and internship opportunities for the county’s next generation workforce.
Ensuring that Harford is well equipped with amenities and services, Cassilly said, is crucial to not only attracting business, but also a workforce that lives in the county.
“Our employees want to live where they can walk along beautiful nature trails, go to happy hours, dine out with their friends and experience the arts and festivals during the weekends,” Cassilly said.
Quality of life improvements Cassilly has focused on include:
- Completion of the final section of the 8-mile Ma and Pa Heritage Trail by March 2026.
- The preservation of 2,500 acres of agricultural land.
- The addition of 132 acres of parkland in Joppatowne and Edgewood for more ballfields and a recreation center.
- The near-complete draft plan for the 1,400-acre waterfront Oakington Peninsula Park between Havre de Grace and Aberdeen.
- The addition of street sweepers operating in Joppatowne, Edgewood and other areas in the county.
- More than 18 miles of newly paved public roadways and repaired sidewalks.
- The expansion of recreational programs by 38%.
In terms of housing, Cassilly explained the county is looking toward mixed-use projects that combine retail and office space with apartments and condominiums. The mixed-use developments, Cassilly believes, will bring national retailers into the county and attract young professionals into the local workforce.
“Clearly we are pursuing a bigger vision that will pay off in the coming years,” Cassilly said. “This is how we are changing our communities one at a time for the better.”
Have a news tip? Contact Matt Hubbard at mhubbard@baltsun.com, 443-651-0101 or @mthubb on X.
Leave A Comment