Capital Gazette article on AACC poll features commentary from AAEDC CEO Amy Gowan

November 10, 2023

The Capital Gazette featured commentary on the current state of the Anne Arundel County economy from AAEDC President & CEO Amy Gowan in the following article:

Anne Arundel residents most concerned with crime and economy, AACC poll finds

Although the article reported that 23% of the 586 county residents who responded to a late October Anne Arundel Community College poll named the economy as the area’s most pressing issue, Gowan provided data and commentary that offered reason for optimism.

As the section on the economy read:

The second highest-rated issue was the economy. It was most concerning to 31% of unaffiliated voters, 22% of Democrats and 18% of Republicans. Respondents noted rising inflation, food and gas prices as major components.

“We are still in this high inflationary environment,” said Amy Gowan, CEO and president of Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, a quasi-government nonprofit. “I do think people are having to make choices about their spending.”

Employment and wages, however, are steadily reaching pre-pandemic levels, Gowan said.

Between this year and last year, the county’s unemployment rate dropped nearly 1 percentage point. The jobless rate now stands at 1.7%, with about 5,000 unemployed residents, compared to 8,000 at this time last year. Gowan credits some of this to growth at Fort Meade, which has led to employment opportunities in the cyber industry and among other government contractors.

The county’s business sector is also growing at a faster rate this year with 217 new businesses or added locations to existing businesses so far this year compared to 176 at this time last year.

“The biggest issue we hear from employers when we talk to them … is challenges with the talent pipeline and workforce — attraction and retention primarily,” Gowan said. “Wages are increasing but I don’t know that they’re necessarily commensurate in all industries with the cost of living right now.”

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