Anne Arundel County has a very large residential population compared to the amount of commercial property we have. And commercial property means jobs. Rather than lose our workers to neighboring jurisdictions, we'd rather have more of them working here at home, reducing traffic and pollution and contributing to our economic base. We must consider development opportunities as revenue and quality of life opportunities. Commercial property currently provides about 20% of our tax base, but we have a lower office vacancy rate than any other area in the state. Local businesses and government agencies are growing, providing the potential for additional local jobs, a strengthened economy, and much-needed community services. This growth can and should be managed and planned for in a way that:
Preserves existing green space, Revitalizes older areas by redeveloping property where infrastructure exists, and Guarantees that expanded public services keep pace with growth and strengthen the county as a whole. Growth management and thoughtful planning will be especially critical in the areas surrounding Fort Meade and BWI.	"Growth management and thoughtful planning will be especially critical in the areas surrounding Fort Meade and BWI."
"By employing best practices and proven solutions from other counties, we can find affordable housing options for county families."	In areas where growth is imminent, we must ensure that there is affordable housing. Without careful planning, local market forces will push the majority of new residential property toward the higher end. Our education and public safety services cannot be sustained if our county's workers cannot afford to live in the communities where they work. Other areas of the country have been successful in curbing this trend. We can be, too. By employing best practices and proven solutions from other counties, we can find affordable housing options for county families.
The diversity of our economy is a draw for our area, but it does pose challenges in providing the broad range of services needed by a wide variety of businesses. With established county programs, several active Chambers of Commerce, and a dynamic group of networking and mentorship organizations, Anne Arundel County provides a strong community for small enterprise. 98% of county businesses have fewer than 100 employees. However, improvement is needed in two specific areas. First, the small business community as a whole is plagued with skyrocketing healthcare and benefits administration costs. State-level advocacy and strategic seed money could lead us to a promising solution in this area. Second, we need to provide more flexible financing options that cater to small business and offer tax incentives to encourage businesses in key growth areas.	"98% of county businesses have fewer than 100 employees."
"Nearly 20% of our 338,300 jobs are provided by the top 25 of the county's 12,000 employers."	Nearly 20% of our 338,300 jobs are provided by the top 25 of the county's 12,000 employers. When large businesses and government agencies relocate or expand, they look for areas with public services and infrastructure to accommodate their needs and communities where the quality of life will be a draw for employees. They also look for potential in workforce development, contractor support, and technology innovation. These factors must be considered in our plans for sustained economic health.
Key growth markets in the county currently include technology, health care and security. These markets are flourishing thanks to specialized programs and direct access to local federal government agencies and contractors. These working models can be applied to other markets, including alternative energy technologies, further diversifying and strengthening our "innovation sector." Given our success in incubating new technologies, the county would benefit from a greater presence by major universities. Anne Arundel Community College is a nationally recognized hub for workforce development. We need to expand higher education opportunities in this county to ensure we meet the current and future needs of our workforce.	"Key growth markets in the county currently include technology, health care and security."
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