ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced the release of the Economic Competitiveness and Opportunity Now (ECON) Task Force Report, which unveils that through increased collaboration and focus and the implementation of the recommendations laid out in the report within the next year, Howard County can successfully position itself as a model for innovation-driven, resilient economic growth. Photos from the press conference can be found on Howard County Government’s Flickr website.
With thousands of federal employees, contractors, or impacted workers calling Howard County home, we saw firsthand this past year the dire consequences a historic federal government shutdown and layoffs can have on our county’s economy. Through the work of the ECON Task Force, we are ensuring that Howard County remains intentional in protecting and building our local economy where residents, businesses, and communities continue to thrive. This final report is a bold framework rooted in our shared commitment to strengthening Howard County’s economic vitality and ensuring opportunities for all to prosper. I would like to thank my Chief of Staff, Angela Cabellon for Chairing this major effort and for galvanizing the ECON Task Force, and all our Task Force members for their dedication and collaboration, which reflect months of thoughtful dialogue, engagement, and evaluation of the evolving federal landscape.
Established in March 2025 by Executive Order 2025-03 and comprised of private sector experts, educational and workforce professionals, practitioners and leaders across major industries, and members of Ball’s Cabinet, the ECON Task Force was charged with developing a comprehensive economic resiliency and competitiveness plan to guide Howard County’s economic strategy now and through the next decade. The ECON Task Force was tasked with:
- Identifying and recommending policies, regulations, strategies, and actions that strengthen Howard County’s economic competitiveness and growth.
- Reviewing policies and procedures by departments and agencies that impact businesses’ ability to thrive in Howard County.
- Developing a consolidated economic resiliency and competitiveness plan that incorporates short-term and long-term strategies and actions from executive departments and offices represented on the ECON Task Force.
- Presenting recommendations to better assist and expedite local permitting and licensing requirements.
Over the course of nine months, the ECON Task Force met monthly to determine immediate, short-term, and long-term recommendations. During the summer months of June to September, the group divided up into three committees – Education, Workforce and Support Services, Supporting Businesses, and Modernization and Innovation, to examine themes surrounding immediate and potential economic impacts, and to deliver recommendations for action. The:
- Education, Workforce and Support Services Committee emphasized the need for a strong, data-informed, people-driven framework to better guide workforce planning and policy decisions. Their findings also underscored the importance of aligning training with industry needs, particularly through sector-specific programs that meet employer demand in high-growth fields. In addition, they highlighted the value of strengthening youth pathways by fostering deeper connections among schools, colleges, and employers to expand apprenticeships and career opportunities. Finally, they noted that supportive infrastructure, such as stable and affordable housing, reliable public transportation, and financial security, is essential for ensuring long-term workforce success.
- Supporting Businesses Committee identified several key themes, including noting the region’s strong market position, emphasizing that its diverse business base, high incomes, top-performing schools, and prime I-95 location are major drivers of economic growth. The group also highlighted the area’s rise as an emerging tech hub, supported by nearly 300 cybersecurity firms and a thriving innovation ecosystem. At the same time, the committee pointed to process challenges, such as development delays, rigid regulations, and unclear incentives, that are opportunities of focus. Lastly, they emphasized the need for stronger engagement between policymakers and the business community to better support sustainable economic development.
- Modernization and Innovation Committee identified several focus areas, including emphasizing technology as a catalyst, recognizing that rapid innovation is essential for maintaining competitiveness and improving County services. The committee also highlighted the continued opportunity to modernize operations through data-informed and people-driven approaches, including the use of analytics, automation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications. In addition, they pointed to the potential of smart infrastructure, noting opportunities to expand connected systems that boost efficiency and sustainability. Finally, the group underscored the importance of resident-centered innovation, stressing the need for digital services that are accessible, transparent, and user-friendly.
Through collaborative discussions, data analysis, and stakeholder input from local leaders, business owners, workforce experts, community organizations, and residents, the group identified opportunities to advance economic growth while ensuring all residents and businesses can share in the benefits of that growth. The ECON Task Force’s recommendations include immediate, short-term, and longer-term strategies that require ongoing collaboration between County government, businesses, nonprofits, and community members.
It has been an honor to chair the ECON Task Force with the best and brightest minds collaborating to bring salient recommendations and actions forward. At a time when families are worried and businesses are struggling, Howard County is prioritizing support and efficiencies to ensure all will weather federal impacts and emerge through these hard economic times more strongly. I want to thank County Executive Ball for entrusting me with leading this effort during the most challenging times and for my colleagues who are committed to its long-term success to implement this roadmap.
Overall, the ECON Task Force came up with 25 comprehensive recommendations. Five short-term recommendations that are currently in development and in-process are:
- Expand workforce and entrepreneurship support for former federal employees, federal contractors and skilled professionals.
- Collaborate with educational partners to focus youth workforce and apprenticeship efforts towards known current and predicted employment gaps and high-demand industries.
- Streamline Internal Review Processes.
- Optimize permitting and planning through technology.
- Enhance Consumer-centric Digital Services and Promote Digital Equity & Inclusion
These five recommendations are considered priority because they are achievable within the next year and build on existing momentum and strong cross-sector relationships. Each of these recommendations strengthens the foundation, allowing for new ideas, industries, and solutions to thrive, ensuring Howard County’s economy remains strong, adaptive, and prepared for future challenges. In fact, over the past several months, the ECON Task Force and Howard County Government leaders worked to further implement technology solutions, including AI tools, to modernize County services and improve operations. Finally, achieving these priorities will require government agencies, educators, employers, community stakeholders, and technology innovators working together with urgency and shared accountability.
To learn more about the ECON Task Force, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/boards-commissions/economic-competitiveness-and-opportunity-now-econ-task-force.