From Havre de Grace Alliance, Inc.:
The Board of Havre de Grace Main Street, Inc. has voted to cease operations and authorized Acting President Joseph Smith to form a new organization, the Havre de Grace Alliance Inc. (HdG Alliance Inc.), in cooperation with the City of Havre de Grace. The new organization will extend the former organization’s mission of economic development and revitalization beyond the downtown district to the entire city and to work in helping revitalize and grow the city through cooperation and coordination among the City’s many non-profits and key stakeholders. Pam Spelker, formerly Coordinator, Economic Development for the City of Havre de Grace, has been selected as the Alliance’s first Executive Director.
“The City of Havre de Grace is a crown jewel along the Chesapeake and we are proud to announce the launch of the new Alliance that will work collaboratively with the city and with all other city business engines to jointly help promote, revitalize and enhance this treasured city to be the best it can be” said Joe Smith. “The establishment of the HdG Alliance Inc. reflects a new approach to economic development that takes into account the unique challenges that small towns and cities face in today’s times”, Joe added.
The new Alliance will focus on providing business, marketing and tourism information, data and strategic level suggestions for the entire city that fosters collaborative solutions to help empower the city to revitalize and build and/or continue an economically vibrant, safe and clean city for the entire community. It will be governed by an organizational board of directors to be comprised of business leaders from all industry clusters in the city. Once fully established, the intention is for the Alliance to become financially independent and to ensure continuity and sustainability in economic policy.
Initial funding for the Alliance is being supported from a $100,000 grant received earlier this year from a Tourism Related Activities Grant awarded by Harford County with money coming from lodging tax revenues. This grant funding has also been vital for the Alliance to hire the first Executive Director. Future funding will be sought through additional grants, contributions and fundraising activities for the Alliance and its mission.
Pam Spelker, who started working for the Alliance on December 1st, comes to the new Executive Director position with significant business experience. Besides her work in economic development for the City of Havre de Grace for the past 2 years, she previously worked for over 30+ years at AXA Equitable in NYC. During her last 10 years at AXA Equitable, Pam was Vice President of Operations in the Retirement Benefits Group, Retail Distribution organization leg of the company. Her experience in the city in economic development coupled with her expertise in operations and administrative management, financial management, project management, communications, as well as research and analysis along with a focus on customer service will be
extremely valuable to the new HdG Alliance as it starts up. “Being in love with and passionate about the City of Havre de Grace and business community, I am incredibly thrilled and honored to be part of the new Alliance and to help the city fortify its economic position”, Pam added.
Pam will be responsible for overseeing all planning, financial, administrative and program operations for the HdG Alliance Inc. For now, Pam can be contacted at: 410-939-1811 or by emailing her at: executivedirector@havredegracealliance.org.
The City’s Office of Economic Development will work with the Alliance and the business community at large to advocate for and promote economic development across the city. Havre de Grace remains a Maryland Main Street district and will continue to execute the tenants of that program as a means of continued revitalization in the downtown Main Street district. “I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with Ms. Spelker. Her expertise and professionalism will be great assets to the new Alliance and to Havre de Grace at large,” stated Adrean Troy, Director of Economic Development for the City of Havre de Grace.
“I am very excited to see the formation, as well as the Mission of the Havre de Grace Alliance Inc. and the selection of Pam Spelker as the Executive Director” stated Cathy Vincenti, the Executive Director for the Havre de Grace Chamber of Commerce. Cathy added “This is a great opportunity for the City, along with the Chamber and other city business engines to work collaboratively to help revitalize and build our entire city. Ms. Spelker’s background along with her professionalism and integrity is definitely an asset to the Alliance and the City. I look forward to working with her and the new Alliance.”
In the coming weeks, Mr. Smith and Ms. Spelker will convene a new Board of Directors for the Alliance and begin work on a comprehensive Market Analysis previously funded by a Harford County Tourism (Hotel Tax) grant.
Acting President Smith concludes, “The City of Havre de Grace is not only a local treasure, but a city that people from across the county, the state and even the country not only come to visit but also come to live, work and build businesses. Pam and I look forward to quickly launching the Alliance Board to continue the work of building a strong and sustainable city that offers charm along with its rich history, culture, beautiful waterfront promenade, walking trails, parks, marinas, museums, B&Bs, restaurants, and unique retail establishments.”
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Joseph Smith at 410-939-1811 or by email at president@havredgreacealliance.org.
Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Commerce in HdG will never happen without major redevelopment of a sad run down business district surrounded by sketchy residential areas. And these two alliance ‘leaders’ have zero accomplishments when it comes to economic development. Just more of the same nothing.
The only people that come here to visit from across the county, the state and even the country not only come to visit are driving on I95 and need gas. The problem is they get off the highway and there is nothing. Most cars get to the old gas station and make a U turn and head back to the highway.