Connect Harford is a unique and visionary gathering of leaders in business, government, and education who are dedicated to promoting and inspiring economic growth and a prosperous future for the diverse community that is Harford County.

Harford County possesses many assets – educated workforce, technological innovations, strong educational institutions, healthy business environment, and prime geographic location – which provide it with the
potential of becoming one of the top places to live, work, and play in the United States.

Through conversations identifying economic opportunities, addressing barriers, sharing innovative solutions, and providing access to information, Connect Harford will inspire all stakeholders—current  and future—to take the actions needed today to make their vision a reality tomorrow.

Agenda

  7:15 a.m.     Registration and Continental Breakfast
  8:00 a.m.     Welcome
  8:20 a.m.     Keynote Speaker: Lisa Bodell - Award-winning author and CEO of futurethink
  9:10 a.m.     Break
  9:30 a.m.     Vision for Harford County: Barry Glassman - Harford County Executive
10:00 a.m.     Information Sessions (choose one of three)
                         Attracting Tomorrow's Workforce to Harford County
                         Planning and Innovation for Transportation in Harford County
                         Community Revitalization and Redevelopment in Harford County
11:10 a.m.     Break
11:30 a.m.     Information Session #2
                         Attracting Tomorrow's Workforce to Harford County
                         Planning and Innovation for Transportation in Harford County
                         Community Revitalization and Redevelopment in Harford County
12:20 p.m.     Wrap-Up and Closing Remarks: Harford County Executive Barry Glassman
12:30 p.m.     Thank You and Closing Remarks: Barry Glassman - Harford County Executive
12:45 p.m.     Boxed Lunch is Served

Information Sessions

Session 1 - Attracting Tomorrow's Workforce to Harford County
Changing generational trends are impacting how organizations work and how they attract employees. What will tomorrow's workforce look like? What's important to them? What challenges do Harford employers face in succession planning? What can Harford County offer to attract the next generation workforce? This session will look at employer needs and recruitment efforts (including perspectives from both APG and private industry) as well as explore what is realistic for Harford County and what work should be done today to ensure our communities offer the amenities and resources that will attract the desired labor force of tomorrow.

Session 2 - Planning and Innovation for Transportation in Harford County
Today more than ever, we're a mobile society - always on the move. Despite common misconceptions, much has been done to address the transportation needs of Harford County. This session will share information about transportation priorities and projects currently underway, shed light on problems that have been identified, and highlight the plans in place to implement solutions. Panelists will discuss the process for funding projects, long-term planning around multiple modes of transportation (road, rail, bus, bike), impediments and challenges that could use your help, as well as innovative thinking and best practices being successfully implemented elsewhere.

Session 3 - Community Revitalization and Redevelopment in Harford County
As we envision the future of Harford County, there is an opportunity to embrace market forces to effect positive change. What are the opportunities to revitalize and redevelop communities? What do investors, developers, and retailers look for? Given the County's demographics, what's possible - what does the right mix look like? How do we address the obstacles? In this session, panelists will discuss the possibilities for redevelopment in Harford County, looking at residential, commercial, and retail aspects and highlighting the realities of what can be done, how long it might take, and what involvement is needed from the community to support forward movement.