From Harford Community College:
Harford Community College, Harford County’s Office of Community and Economic Development, and local businesses are partnering on a feasibility study for a proposed Applied Technology Center to be located in the southern U.S. Route 40 corridor to serve residents and employers.
MGT Associates will conduct the summer-long study with Harford Community College’s leadership to analyze and make recommendations (short- and long-term) for programming and offerings at a proposed Applied Technology Center in an existing warehouse/retail space in the southern corridor. The study will be based on current and future needs of the workforce and is expected to be completed at the end of September.
Paul Thompson, Architectural Design Works, Inc. and Chris Streett, Streett Hopkins Real Estate, both with the Harford County Economic Development Advisory Board; Greg Bowser, Safe Harbor Retirement Planners, Quynh Budzynski, AbilityOne Base Supply Center for Blind Industries & Services of Maryland and Fred Anderson, Thompson Automotive, all with the Route 40 Business Association; Pat Pollard, Pollard Group – Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith and with the Greater Harford Committee; Bruce England, Susquehanna Workforce Network; and Len Parrish and Steve Overbay, Harford County Office of Community and Economic Development; along with Harford Community College President Dianna G. Phillips and staff, have been active in assisting with the study.
As part of their study efforts, MGT has begun interviewing community leaders, employers, economic and workforce development officials and academic leaders to gauge the need for and interest in such a center. They have also researched new technological advances and have checked boss laser reviews.
Businesses making commitments to help fund the study include Allied-Phillips, Inc.; Hirsch Electric; Maryland Automobile Dealers Association; Architectural Design Works, Inc.; Thompson Automotive Group; Harford County Chamber of Commerce; Route 40 Business Association; Bel Air Auto Auction, Inc.; The Greater Harford Committee; The Morris Weinman Company; and M&T Bank.
What is this “Applied Technology Center” supposed to do to help the citizens of Harford County, and how much taxpayer money is being spent?
My first thought would be maybe help turn the Route 40 corridor around – bring it up into something other than a tour of run-down, broken businesses. That strip of road could potentially be great, but something has to kick-start it. We don’t need any more little motels, half-car dealerships, and ghosts of businesses past. I’m thrilled to see some conversation about bringing something new here. This is what I want to see – not politicians posturing and bickering aimlessly. Keep it up! Let’s make this happen!
The hard part is attracting the commercial business that’s desireable for rehabilitation of an area.
When nobody wants to move there (for multitude of reasons) well, then, there’s your ultimate answer.