From Harford County Government:
Harford County Executive David R. Craig accompanied by James Richardson, Director of the Office of Economic Development and members of his team, took time to recognize more than a dozen businesses for “Business Appreciation Week”. County government celebrated “Business Appreciation Week”, September 17 – 21.
“We had a great week touring the county and visiting with members of our business community as part of “Business Appreciation Week”, said County Executive Craig. “We met some very interesting business leaders and had the opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest with them during our visits,” Craig remarked.
Business Appreciation Week started with a visit to several businesses in the Bel Air and Forest Hill area, as well as a lunch meeting with the Mason-Dixon Business Association in Whiteford. Among the businesses the county executive toured Monday included Stockson’s Printing Company, Peoples Bank, The Tower Restaurant, Wilmer Eye Institute at Parris-Castro and Precision Wire E.D.M. Inc. The day concluded with a ribbon-cutting for the grand opening of Nisbets in Belcamp.
Tuesday, County Executive Craig along with members of the Office of Economic Development visited four businesses in the Aberdeen community. Joining the county executive during his visit to area businesses were Mayor Michael Bennett and Phyllis Grover, Director of Aberdeen Planning and Community Development. Businesses visited in Aberdeen were the Curry Agency Century 21, Target, Marriott Courtyard and Residence Inn and Mamie’s Café.
Wednesday, the Office of Economic Development hosted “Start Up Maryland- Pitch Across Maryland” bus tour at the HEAT Center in Aberdeen. “Start Up Maryland” is a three week statewide initiative to celebrate entrepreneurship, connect local and regional entrepreneurial ecosystems as well as launch a statewide business pitch competition.
Later Wednesday evening, seven Harford County businesses were presented with the Harford Award during a special event sponsored by the Harford County Chamber of Commerce, the Office of Economic Development, Harford Community College, the Daily Record and BGE.
Those receiving that were recognized were: Bizerba Label Solutions; Bel Air and Aberdeen Saxon’s Diamond Centers; the Vandiver Inn; WebIXI; Veteran Compost; NVS Salon & Spa and SARC.
Thursday, County Executive Craig joined others in welcoming Katzen Eye Group to Harford County with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Katzen’s first office in Harford County is a 9,000 square foot facility which will offer a variety of subspecialty services including pediatric ophthalmology, retinal care, glaucoma services, oculoplastics and aesthetics. The Harford County office of Katzen Eye Group is located at 3401 Box Hill Corporate Center Drive in Abingdon.
Closing out the week of successful visits for the county executive included a breakfast with more than 40 business leaders from throughout Harford County. PNC Bank, in cooperation with the Office of Economic Development presented “Market Outlook in the Face of Uncertainty”. The featured speaker was Kevin McCreadie, president and Chief Executive Officer of PNC Capital Advisors. Mr. McCreadie’s outlook for U.S. growth: “remains moderate in 2013 with headwinds that could impair consumer spending, business investment and spending by federal and local governments. One bright spot however could be the U.S. housing market”.
Following the breakfast briefing, the day included stops at E-Moxie, a Web design, development and marketing agency in Havre de Grace. Next County Executive Craig visited MacGregor’s Restaurant on St. John Street and enjoyed lunch with members of the Office of Economic Development staff and Mayor Wayne Dougherty of the City of Havre de Grace.
The final stop for the county executive during Business Appreciation Week was Level Heating and Air Conditioning on Pulaski Highway in Havre de Grace.
“We had a great time traveling throughout the county visiting local businesses, meeting some of Harford County’s enterprising and interesting business leaders. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to each of these businesses and look forward to working with them and others to help strengthen and promote a positive business climate in Harford County,” Craig said.
I would also like to say, as a Harford County resident, that I appreciate the countless hundreds of individual sole-proprietors and small business owners that will never make this list. The moms that enjoy their Mary Kay, Scentsy and other In-Home businesses as well as the local “Mom and Pop” gift shops and specialty stores through-out our great county. They are among the best in my opinion.