The 2024 Fall Meeting, themed “Forging Charles County’s Future Together: The Strategic Power of Partnerships,” brought defense partners, community leaders, educators, small businesses, government officials, and industry experts to the Velocity Center in Indian Head to discuss economic growth and progress in our community.
The conference showcased how building strong partnerships and relationships in Charles County can create new opportunities, enhance business prospects, and drive regional growth.
Setting the Stage for Collaboration
Kelly Robertson-Slagle, Director of the Charles County Economic Development Department (EDD), opened the meeting with welcoming remarks. The Mayor of the Town of Indian Head, Brandon Paulin, then shared a few words before inviting Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins, II, for a Charles County update.
Opening Keynote Speaker Captain Stephen C. Duba, USN, Commanding Officer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD), shared some insightful remarks about the importance of NSWC Indian Head’s partnership with Charles County. In his presentation, Captain Duba emphasized the economic impact of partnerships between the NSWC IHD and local business partners. In FY2024, NSWC IHD obligated nearly $1 billion of contracts, injecting millions of dollars into Southern Maryland—$95 million of which went directly to Charles County businesses.
Economic Development and Community Growth
Robertson-Slagle returned to the podium with an EDD update. She presented the 2024 Economic Development Annual Report, highlighting the department’s ongoing initiatives and accomplishments that have strengthened the local economy over the past year. Robertson-Slagle also introduced the second edition of the Charles County Asset Inventory, which has evolved from an internal educational tool into a valuable marketing resource that external stakeholders and investors can use to learn about the community's unique strengths.
Transforming Western Charles County Technology Corridor: The Smart Arsenal Initiative
The Smart Arsenal panel came next, highlighting an initiative to transform Indian Head and the Western Charles County Technology Corridor into a modern, high-tech workplace. This effort aligns with the strategic planning and investments of the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense, emphasizing modernization and building upon existing improvement efforts. Attendees were encouraged to understand the vision and actively engage in driving this transformation forward. The panel, under the moderation of Mark Thompson, EDD’s Chief of Commercial Development, featured:
- Andrew Coombs, Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division
- Ellen Flowers-Fields, Vice President, Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, College of Southern Maryland
- Steve Mitchell, Chair, Military Alliance Council
- Sandy Rooney, Career and Technical Education (CTE), Charles County Public Schools
Part of the Smart Arsenal initiative is developing supportive infrastructure, including Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) and a robust workforce pipeline. Rooney noted the significance of creating a transparent ecosystem to benefit all, saying, “It’s important to share with our students the assets we have right here in our community. If they don’t know, they’ll leave to pursue opportunities elsewhere.”
Supporting Small Businesses: Procurement Opportunities
The second panel of the meeting, Small Business—Procurement, focused on strategies for increasing small business participation in contracting opportunities. The panelists highlighted resources like the University of Maryland Medical System’s (UMMS) Minority and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) catalog, which features nearly 2,000 registered businesses and offers coaching on responding to requests for proposals (RFPs). Panelists also discussed the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) process and advocated for small businesses. The panel was moderated by James Vasquez, Pre-venture and Start-up Business Consultant with the Small Business Development Center at College of Southern Maryland and featured:
- Maurice Cameron, Vendor Engagement Manager, University of Maryland Medical System
- Anthony Twyman, MWBE/DBE Compliance Manager, EDD
- Jennifer Barnidge, Deputy Director for Small Business, Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division
Barnidge notes on the impacts of these programs: “Our target was to have a 30% increase in participation during FY24. We got a 42% increase, drastically improving our small business participation rate over the last few years.”
The Value of Strategic Partnerships
Closing Keynote speaker Dewan Clayborn, IOM President and CEO of the Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships, emphasizing their long-term benefits and mutual value. Key elements for success, including well-defined roles and an awareness of cultural differences, were also addressed, underscoring the need for adaptability in navigating challenges. He also encouraged the attendees to “focus on the growth mindset, not a fixed mindset,” inspiring them to embrace opportunities for continuous improvement.
View the Fall Meeting 2024 web page for additional reports, presentation slides, and photos from the event.
