GHC News

July 2019 : Roundtable discussion with Secretary of Commerce Kelly Schulz about Economic Development in Washington County

July 9, 2019

Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz hosted a roundtable discussion at The Volvo Group with key economic development stakeholders to learn of the progress, growth, and status of economic development in Washington County. GHC Executive Director Jim Kercheval spoke to the Secretary about our community’s effort to: • Capitalize on the regional economy along the I-81 corridor and grow Maryland’s share of that market • Diversify our economy by attracting high tech, service related industries to areas like Mt. Aetna Farms Technology Park, Friendship Technology Park, Fort Ritchie, and downtown Hagerstown. • Enhance our entrepreneurial ecosystem to create and grow new businesses from within • Continue to grow the vibrant tourism industry in our county Jim also discussed the need for state support to: • Fund infrastructure such as the widening of I-81 and the airport • Ensure state policies, regulations, and incentives keep us competitive with adjoining states along the I-81 corridor • Recognize Washington County as the next western county to support economic development along the I-270/I-70 corridor and to include us in conversations surrounding high tech industries like Cybersecurity, A.I., Bio Sciences, etc. • Continue their funding commitment for the Urban Improvement Project that will be completed in 2021 and support a future UIP2 project to follow that the community is now in the process of putting together Other GHC members in attendance included Blackie Bowen (Ewing Oil) and Don Bowman (The Bowman Group), and ex-officios Paul Frey (Chamber), Rob Slocum (County) and Scott Nicewarner (Hagerstown). Stakeholders talked about workforce development needs, the need to cut down the time interstates are closed during an accident, a future public safety training center, and the collaboration on economic development in our community. Many thanked Sec Shultz and the Hogan administration for the vast improvement they’ve seen in customer service from state agencies (faster permitting, collaboration on business prospects, etc.) and the support the State has provided our community during the last 4 years. In conjunction with this roundtable, Volvo Group North America announced the Volvo Group powertrain facility in Hagerstown will be "introducing a new machining operation, expanding automated manual transmission (AMT) assembly, and adding core logistics management. The company is investing $43 million and adding 85 new jobs in the powertrain production plant, where it develops and produces heavy-duty diesel engines, transmissions, and axles for Volvo Group brands." In addition, GHC Member Pierre Jenny, V.P of Volvo Powertrain was recognized for the growth and success of Volvo under his tenure and his commitment to improving our community as a member of groups like GHC. Pierre will be relocating back to France in July and continuing to work with Volvo. Marcus Minkkinen will be replacing Pierre at Volvo’s Hagerstown plant in August.