INDIAN HEAD, Md. — The Charles County Economic Development Department hosted its 2025 Fall Meeting on Nov. 4 at the College of Southern Maryland Velocity Center, drawing business leaders, educators and officials for a discussion on collaborative growth under the theme “The Partnership Economy.”
The sold-out gathering from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. examined ways partnerships across local, state and regional levels can boost innovation, expand markets and enhance workforce readiness in the county. More than 150 attendees networked during registration and breakfast, sponsored by St. John Properties, before sessions that highlighted resources for small businesses and technology advancements.
Jim Chandler, certified economic developer and department director, opened the event with a welcome that underscored the role of alliances in sustaining the area’s economy. “Charles County’s economic vitality is built on the strength of its business community,” Chandler said. “Through collaboration and partnership, we can ensure continued growth and opportunity. That’s why we dedicated this year’s Fall Meeting to showcasing the many resources, connections, and programs available to help businesses in our community grow and succeed here.”
Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins II followed with a county welcome, affirming the value of joint efforts. “Partnership is the engine that drives our progress,” Collins said. Acting County Administrator Deborah E. Hall then provided updates on county priorities, including infrastructure projects and fiscal planning that support business expansion.
Portia Wu, Maryland secretary of labor, delivered the opening keynote at 8:45 a.m., outlining state strategies for workforce development that align with Charles County initiatives. She noted more than $700,000 in grants awarded to the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland and the College of Southern Maryland for training programs in high-demand fields like manufacturing and technology. “It’s wonderful to be here with so many partners, innovators, business leaders, and public servants,” Wu said. “Charles County — with its defense innovation and emerging technology corridor — is one of our state’s most dynamic economic engines.”
At 9:05 a.m., Deputy Director Michelle Frye presented the department’s inaugural Partner of the Year award to the Military Alliance Council, recognizing its efforts to bridge Naval Support Facility Indian Head, the Town of Indian Head and the Western Charles County Technology Corridor. The council, formed to unite residents, civic leaders and businesses in advocacy for the naval facility and local interests, has facilitated base expansions, community events and economic tie-ins since its inception. Executive Director Pam Frank accepted the honor, stating, “We can’t do this alone. We have to have partners.” The award, established to celebrate leadership in community advancement, positions the council as a model for defense-civilian collaborations that sustain thousands of jobs tied to the facility’s $1 billion in annual contracts.
Chandler and Frye followed at 9:30 a.m. with an economic development update, covering achievements such as the May 2025 Business Appreciation Week, which featured ribbon-cuttings for new ventures like My Sweet Baby Learning Center and a wellness workshop on cash-flow management and AI tools. They also highlighted the With Love From Charles digital gift card program, which distributed over $6,000 in value to 39 businesses by July, and the county’s AAA bond rating for the ninth year, enabling low-cost financing for projects.
The first panel, “Supporting Business Growth,” convened at 9:45 a.m. and was moderated by Jerry Sanford, managing director of economic development at The Harbor Bank of Maryland. Panelists Brad Fallon, assistant secretary of business development at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development; James Steward Smith, vice president of business development at FSC First; and James Vasquez, regional director at the Maryland Small Business Development Center, addressed funding, mentorship and readiness for small enterprises. Smith advised, “Your first partner should be a bookkeeper,” while Vasquez recommended, “Before you get a bookkeeper, get an SBDC consultant.” The discussion emphasized the Small Local Business Enterprise program, which certified 269 firms in 2025 and offers procurement preferences up to $500,000.
After a 10:30 a.m. sponsor spotlight by Andrew M. Roud of St. John Properties, the second panel at 10:35 a.m. turned to “Partnerships That Drive Innovation — Western Charles County Technology Corridor.” Moderated by Paul W. Ruppert, senior commercial development manager for the department, it included Frank; Dr. Phillip Stracener, vice president of operations and global facility solutions at X-Bow Systems; and Dawud Abdur-Rahman, chair of the Bryans Road Business Association. Participants explored the corridor’s potential as a hub for 138 businesses in research, energetics and defense, anchored by the Naval Support Facility’s $2.7 billion modernization plan across 600 projects. The area, spanning more than 7 square miles along Route 210, benefits from 34 percent lower lease rates than the Washington metro and proximity to 6,000 educated residents skilled in engineering and cybersecurity. Partnerships with the College of Southern Maryland’s Velocity Center and the Maryland Technology Center, which trained over 600 individuals in 2025, were cited as keys to attracting tenants like X-Bow Systems.
Kelly Schulz, chief executive officer of the Maryland Technology Council, closed the event at 11:35 a.m. with a keynote on integrating technology and workforce strategies. A former state commerce secretary and small business owner, Schulz linked economic gains to alliances, saying, “Partnerships are the driving factor behind where we go and what we do.” She added, “You cannot have economic development without workforce development, and you can’t have workforce development without economic development.”
The meeting concluded at noon with remarks from Chandler, who released the department’s 2025 Annual Report and Asset Inventory. These documents detail 15,710 nonemployer establishments generating millions in revenue across sectors like professional services and real estate, plus initiatives like the Berry Pointe development, which could create 2,100 jobs in research and retail. A full recording and materials are available on the department’s website.
