2008 MEDA Economic Development Awards
Sponsored by Miles & Stockbridge, P.C.

MEDA members accept their awards at the 2008 MEDA Awards sponsored by Miles & Stockbridge.

The Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) is pleased to announce the recipients of their 2008 MEDA Awards:

Economic Development Project honors went to the Extension of MD Route 43 and Baltimore Crossroads @95, nominated by the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development . This project provides access to the largest available manufacturing-zoned property in Baltimore County , which is being developed as Baltimore Crossroads @95. Upon completion, this new business park will feature nearly 5.5 million square feet of space.

The Maryland Technology Transfer Fund, a program of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) , received the award for Economic Development Program . This program has benefited 89 early-stage companies through technology transfer and collaboration, supporting partnerships with Maryland research institutions. The companies that have completed their Tech Transfer projects have generated collectively more than $24 million in revenue from product sales and services.

Nominated by the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development , the Bethesda Theatre took home the honors for Economic Development Redevelopment Project/Program . This 70-year-old theater was renovated and has reemerged as the only off-Broadway, live arts and entertainment facility in Maryland outside Baltimore and Washington , D.C.  In its new incarnation, the Bethesda Theatre includes approximately 700 seats, a state-of-the-art technical package, a VIP lounge, a formal box office, a will-call area and other modern amenities. This $11 million, 20,000-square-foot theater employs nearly 20 full-time employees and is expected to generate more than $500,000 of tax revenue annually for Montgomery County .

The Economic Development Marketing award went to the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (OED) for the creation of the Frederick Wine Trail, a natural addition to OED's existing agricultural promotion programs. The primary objectives of the Frederick Wine Trail were to increase promotion and consumer involvement in wineries across Frederick County , and to pioneer the start of a statewide wine trail. In the first six months of the campaign, participating wineries saw an average increase of 1,500 customers, who spent a total of $150,000. Wineries in Southern Maryland and on the Eastern Shore are now working on their own trails, based on the Frederick County model.

Honorable mentions went to Main Street Maryland , a program of Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore BioPark, nominated by the City of Baltimore Development Corporation. A Judges' Award was presented to the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission for the Hopewell Express – Employment Transportation Program.

Individual awards also were presented. Michael S. Lofton, CEcD, was inducted into the MEDA Hall of Fame . Mr. Lofton, former CEO of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation and former Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Economic and Employment Development (now known as DBED), has been involved in economic development in Maryland since the late 1960s. He has mentored many people in economic development on the local, regional and state levels. His strong support for education for economic developers led to the creation of the Lofton Scholarship Fund, which provides funding and encourages people in the profession to become certified in economic development.

John Savich, St. Mary's County Administrator and former president, vice-president and secretary of MEDA, was named a Life Member .  During his term as president, the organization saw record attendance at MEDA programs, the Council of Past Presidents was formed, and a record number of Lofton Scholarships were awarded to members for their professional development.

Volunteer of the Year honors went to Merle S. Elliott, Chairman of the Board of the Hagerstown-Washington County Industrial Foundation. Mr. Elliott was instrumental in developing the county's first business parks, attracting Citicorp to Washington County , and tackling projects that private developers considered too risky.

The third annual MEDA Economic Development Awards were presented at the 2008 MEDA Annual Conference, held June 1-3 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge .   Sponsored by Miles & Stockbridge, P.C. , the awards recognized outstanding efforts to attract new businesses, assist existing businesses, redevelop business districts, market communities, and support workforce development initiatives, tourism activities, and agricultural programs.

For information about winners from previous years click here!