Bissett Campaign Announces Outline for Economic Development

Edgewater, MD – The Committee to Elect Phil Bissett today announced a working outline of Mr. Bissett's plan to strengthen Anne Arundel County's economy through job creation, support for small business, and an emphasis on higher education. Mr. Bissett is a Republican candidate for Anne Arundel County executive in 2006.

"Our county's economy is thriving," said Mr. Bissett, a former chair of the Anne Arundel County delegation to the State House. "But success brings challenges in areas such as transportation, traffic, and preservation of green space. It will take leadership to strike the right balance," he said.

Information about Mr. Bissett's plan for economic development is posted on his web site at www.philbissett.com. It's the subject of the latest edition of "Talking with Phil," an interview-style series of articles also on the candidate's web site. It's also the theme of his third direct mail piece.

Mr. Bissett's goals under economic development call for expanding the county's commercial base to attract new jobs and keep more local workers from commuting to neighboring jurisdictions. The added tax base would help the county make necessary infrastructure improvements – providing more money for schools, for example.

Mr. Bissett is also pushing for revitalization projects where infrastructure already exists, rather than encouraging additional sprawl. "The growth slated for the Ft. Meade area provides a perfect opportunity for this approach," he said.

He also addresses the need for more affordable housing. "Our education and public safety services cannot be sustained if county workers cannot afford to live in the communities where they work," he said.

Additionally, Mr. Bissett wants to take steps to better meet the needs of the small business community. He wants to focus on the issues of affordable healthcare and benefits for employees and access to funding to help small businesses grow.

While recognizing that Anne Arundel Community College has won national acclaim for workforce development, Mr. Bissett's plan calls for attracting more higher education opportunities to the county to support key growth markets, including technology, health care and security.

"Our goal and our message to county citizens is 'Live Here, Learn Here, Earn Here," said Mr. Bissett. "That's our strategy to ensure that Anne Arundel County's economy stays strong over the long term, protecting our quality of life."

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Authority: Committee to Elect Phil Bissett, Jennifer Erickson, Treasurer

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