Image credit PGCEDC
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Ebony Stocks Named Interim President & CEO of Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation
By PRESS OFFICER
PGCEDC
LARGO, Md. (Jan. 7, 2025)—Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (PGCEDC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ebony Stocks, CEcD, Interim President and CEO, effective January 1, 2025. With over 11 years of dedicated service to PGCEDC, Ebony brings a wealth of experience, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to advancing economic growth and prosperity in Prince George’s County.
As Executive Vice President for the past six years, Ebony has been instrumental in driving PGCEDC’s mission and initiatives. Her leadership has shaped programs like Grow Prince George’s, Step Forward Initiative, and the Pathways Series, empowering local businesses and fostering inclusive economic development. She also played a pivotal role in the distribution of ARPA funds to strengthen the local business community during challenging times.
Ebony’s expertise extends beyond local initiatives. She has spearheaded international efforts, including a successful trade mission to Nairobi, Kenya, and hosting the EmpowerHer Global Business Summit, which celebrated and supported women entrepreneurs. Her experience managing the County’s $50 million Economic Development Incentive Fund and various tax credit programs further underscores her ability to deliver impactful results.
A Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), Ebony holds a Master of Real Estate Development from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Strayer University. She is also an Economic Development Finance Professional and an active Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) member.
“Ebony Stocks’ proven leadership and extensive expertise position her perfectly to guide PGCEDC during this pivotal time,” said Orlan Johnson, Chairman of the PGCEDC Board of Directors. “Her ability to build strong stakeholder relationships and her commitment to inclusive growth will ensure the continued success of our mission.
“In response to her appointment, Ebony Stocks shared, “I am deeply honored to step into this role and continue the vital work of promoting economic growth and opportunity in Prince George’s County. My vision is to build on our accomplishments, strengthen partnerships, and foster an inclusive business environment where all can thrive. Together, we will ensure that Prince George’s County remains a model for sustainable and equitable economic development.”
As Interim President & CEO, Ebony is committed to maintaining the momentum of PGCEDC’s initiatives while bringing fresh perspectives to future opportunities.
Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (PGCEDC)’s mission is to cultivate and promote a strong local economy supporting entrepreneurs’ and businesses’ growth and prosperity. It is dedicated to strengthening communities through business development and job creation. For more information about PGCEDC’s services to local companies, visit www.pgcedc.com
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Prince George’s County Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Chapters Serve the Community on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
By PRESS OFFICER
Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter
WHO: Seven Prince George’s County Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Iota Gamma Omega (IGO) Chapter, Upsilon Tau Omega (UTO) Chapter, Psi Epsilon Omega (PEO) Chapter, Alpha Alpha Sigma Omega (AASO) Chapter, Eta (H) Chapter, Theta Nu (TN) Chapter, and the Proud Pearls of Prince George’s Interest Group.
WHAT: Martin Luther King (MLK) Day of Service 2025. Local AKA chapters will host the “We Are One” AKA Service Day under the sorority’s initiatives, Strengthen Our Sisterhood and Uplift Our Local Community. This is a unique opportunity for members to join together, volunteer, and make a meaningful impact in our community.
WHEN: Monday, January 20, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Hillcrest Heights Community Center, 2300 Oxon Run Dr, Oxon Hill, MD 20748
WHY: In honor of the unwavering support and service that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. unselfishly gave to the global community, four graduate chapters, one interest group, and two undergraduate chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Incorporated® are partnering to collect new, and gently used clean coats (for children and adults), new hats, gloves, scarves and socks as well as non-perishable food and toiletry items. Members of AKA, along with their Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) scholars, will assist in distributing these essential items to members of the local community.
This event is free and open to the public. Community members will receive basic necessities while also engaging with local chapters of AKA and learning about the valuable services that they offer to Prince George’s County residents. “We are committed to serving our community,” said Kristi L. Matthews, IGO President. “Dr. King’s legacy of love, equality and uplift remains our focus and our intention. Service is joy!” UTO President Quindella Fletcher added, “Collectively we are striving to make an impact in the Prince George’s County community with a unified service initiative while honoring the legacy of Dr. King.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” In response to his call to do more to uplift local communities, these AKA chapters will collectively provide needed resources in Prince George’s County.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated®, an international service organization, was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908 and has more than 360,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters located in 12 nations and territories. Since its founding, the sorority has implemented its service programs to uplift our local communities in Prince George’s County by providing needed resources.
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Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County Named Champions of Tennis Agency of the Year by Racquet Sports Industry Magazine
By PRESS OFFICER
M-NCPPC
RIVERDALE, Md. (Jan. 9, 2025)—The Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George's County, part of M-NCPPC, has been named the 2024 Champions of Tennis Park & Recreation Agency of the Year by Racquet Sports Industry Magazine, a prestigious honor recognizing exceptional contributions to the promotion, development, and growth of tennis programs at the local level.
This award, presented by Racquet Sports Industry Magazine (RSI), celebrates agencies that provide innovative, inclusive, and sustainable tennis offerings for individuals of all ages and skill levels. The Department stood out for its exceptional commitment to enhancing recreational and competitive tennis opportunities for residents of Prince George’s County.
Key Highlights of the Department’s Achievements:
• Inclusive Programs for All Ages and Skill Levels: The department’s tennis programs cater to a diverse community, from beginners to advanced players, with a focus on accessibility, equity, and inclusion.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: The Department is home to premier tennis facilities, including newly renovated courts and a range of outdoor and indoor tennis options.
• Youth and Adult Tennis Initiatives: A variety of youth programs have been instrumental in developing future tennis stars. Adult programs have fostered a vibrant, community-centered tennis culture.
• Collaborative Community Engagement: The department has forged partnerships to bring tennis into underserved areas, providing equal opportunities to all residents.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our team and the entire community,” said Adrienne Harris-Moore, Division Chief of the Aquatics and Athletic Facilities Division. “We are honored to be recognized by RSI, and remain committed to expanding our tennis programs to ensure that everyone in our community can experience the joy of the sport.”
For more information about the Department and its tennis programs, visit pgparks.com/activities-events/sports.
With over 29,000 acres of parkland, trails, athletic fields, playgrounds, and more, the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County provides an award-winning park system through progressive, quality, innovative leadership and a commitment to its community and environment. The Department delivers first-class recreational activities and programs for people of all ages and ability levels. It strives to improve the quality of life for Prince George’s County residents and the communities in which they live, work, and raise families. The Department’s Formula 2040 Plan establishes a framework that will ensure the Department can meet future parks and recreation programmatic and facility needs, fulfilling its mission to determine the combination of land, facilities, and programs that will provide appropriate experiences for Prince Georgians in the future. To learn more, visit www.pgparks.com.
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Gov. Moore Forecasts Huge Cuts to the State Budget This Spring
By JACK BOWMAN and EMMA TUFO
Capital News Service
As the General Assembly starts its new legislative session this week, one big thing is on the mind of Maryland lawmakers: fixing a massive budget deficit that may call for tax hikes and cuts to beloved programs.
Gov. Wes Moore said on opening day of the General Assembly that a “season of hard choices” is beginning, and that balancing the budget is the top priority in the coming weeks and months. He said he would put forth a budget proposal that includes $2 billion in cuts.
“I inherited a structural deficit that is the largest we have seen in two decades,” Moore said at a panel hosted by The Daily Record. “We didn’t actually address the structural issues.”
One issue that Moore and other Maryland lawmakers are facing with Trump taking office is a potential rollback of federal dollars flowing into the state, a reality that would make eliminating the $3 billion deficit all the more challenging.
“Frankly, we have been building budgets based on the fact that trillions of dollars were coming from the federal government,” Moore told Daily Record journalist Jack Hogan. “That’s not happening anymore.”
Speaking at the same event, Senate President Bill Ferguson echoed Moore’s commitment to balancing Maryland’s finances, adding that addressing the deficit will be the number one priority for the General Assembly.
“The budget is going to drive a lot of the decision making,” said Ferguson, who represents Baltimore City. “I think the expectation for the 2025 session is, we’ve got to figure out the budget first and foremost, and everything else is going to be secondary to that.”
The legislative session opened Wednesday with pomp and circumstance, with Moore addressing both chambers and members publicly praising their parties’ leaders. Ferguson and House Speaker Adrienne Jones were reinstalled as Senate majority leader and House speaker, to shouts and applause from their supporters.
All the while, the grim specter of the deficit—and the significant measures that will have to be taken to address it—hung over the proceedings.
Moore said that many of the planned cuts will be focused on making government operations more efficient.
“There is a lot that government can do to make sure we are tightening our belt, that we are being more efficient, that we are being swifter and faster,” Moore said.
The second part of improving efficiency, he added, is to ensure that funds flow towards goals and programs that are “effective and sustainable,” leaving those that don’t match that description on the cutting room floor.
One area that could potentially see cuts is transportation.
Michael Sakata, the president and CEO of the Maryland Transportation Builders and Materials Association, said he believes that such cuts would run counter to the state’s goals of building a more robust economy.
“We need to remain competitive by investing in transportation,” Sakata told Capital News Service, saying that, in a post-COVID world, people are commuting to work from farther away. They rely on efficient highways and infrastructure to get to their jobs, he said.
Sakata is not the only one with concerns about Maryland’s potential cutbacks.
Moore’s $2 billion dollars of planned cuts still leave a third of the deficit untouched, without a clear plan as to how it will be addressed. Maryland Republicans are concerned that Democrats may implement tax hikes to address the remaining $1 billion.
Speaking at a news conference for Republican leadership, Senate Minority Leader Stephen Hershey Jr. said that Republicans will be against any such measures.
“The Republican caucus stands firm that we are not going to be supporting any type of tax or fee increases at all,” said Hershey, who represents Kent, Queen Anne’s, Cecil and Caroline Counties. “We are going to have to balance this budget strictly on finding additional cuts.”
One policy item that Republicans want to roll back is the 2022 Climate Solutions Now Act, which was aimed at reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions.
“It’s unworkable,” said Del. Jesse Pippy, a Republican who represents Frederick County. “We’re trying to solve a $3 billion budget deficit that’s going to balloon to $6.2 billion by 2030 and at the same time, we’re cutting our nose off to spite our face by passing unworkable climate solution legislation that is going to cost billions of dollars to implement.”
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