Harford County’s Office of Economic Development will celebrate local businesses during its tenth annual Business Appreciation Week starting on Monday, September 18 through Friday, September 22, 2017. Throughout the week, government officials and business leaders will visit more than 60 companies to recognize their successes and business anniversaries ranging from one year to a remarkable 175 years. Harford County’s diverse business sectors will be featured, including defense, healthcare, manufacturing, distribution, professional services and retail. Other events during the week will reinforce the value of a strong business community and spotlight Harford County’s resources to help businesses thrive.
“Harford County businesses create jobs, expand our economy, and give back to the community,” County Executive Barry Glassman said. “We welcome Business Appreciation Week as a time to celebrate their achievements and promote opportunities for growth in the year ahead.”
Monday will jumpstart the week with visits to northern Harford County businesses, and a hospitality luncheon for hoteliers hosted in partnership with Visit Harford. The luncheon will recognize the hotels’ support for tourism as an economic engine and for the county’s competitive awards program, which funds nonprofit tourism programs and operations. Monday evening the 25th annual Harford Award ceremony for outstanding local businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofits will honor five recipients at a red-carpet gala to be held at Waters Edge Events Center.
Tuesday will include visits to businesses in Havre de Grace and a free workshop for small businesses countywide to learn from experts in banking, accounting, insurance, and law. The workshop will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. at the GroundFloor in Havre de Grace. Registration is available online at http://bit.ly/OEDAsktheExperts.
Wednesday will feature a breakfast for business leaders working in Emmorton Business Park, Fashion Park, Lakeside Business Park, Trimble Road Industrial Area, and William Paca Industrial Park, followed by visits to Edgewood and Joppa area companies.
Thursday visits will include businesses in the Aberdeen area; Friday visits will focus on Bel Air businesses.
The week’s festivities will culminate with a meet-and-greet Friday afternoon at Humagalas Restaurant in Bel Air, sponsored by Freedom Federal Credit Union and Tidewater Promotions.
Business Appreciation Week is presented in cooperation with the Harford County Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB), Harford County Chamber of Commerce, the cities of Aberdeen and Havre de Grace, the Town of Bel Air, and the Susquehanna Workforce Network (SWN).
For photos and other highlights during Harford County Business Appreciation Week 2017, follow Harford County OED on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Throughout the year Harford County’s Office of Economic Development promotes finance programs, workforce technical training grants, site selection, small business support and more, including an informative monthly e-newsletter, Biz Bytes. Subscribe to Biz Bytes here: www.harfordcountymd.gov/list.aspx.
“Doing business in Harford County is a good business decision,” said Karen Holt, director of Harford County Economic Development. “Our goal is to support local companies as they grow, assist with resources that can help them continue to grow, and help mitigate issues that would impact their ability to prosper. In other words, we help businesses do business in Harford County.”
