Kamenetz proposes new track for Economic Development Dept.

A newly revised Baltimore County Department of Economic Development could take shape by the end of the year if County Executive Kevin Kamenetz gets his way.

The Department of Economic Development would be renamed the Department of Economic and Workforce Development under a proposal from Kamenetz now on its way to the County Council.

Also, Kamenetz has nominated Will Anderson, chief technology officer for the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education to lead the newly merged department. Former county economic development chief, Dan Gundersen, resigned last month.

“Although this may appear to be a minor name change, it actually reflects a significant shift in focus for Baltimore County,” Kamenetz said Monday, in a statement.

“As I meet with employers, they consistently tell me that jobs are available, but they need employees with a specific set of skills to fill those jobs. The County must serve the employment needs of its existing employers, helping them grow. I am confident that we can do that. Providing a steady stream of well-trained workers will be job one in Baltimore County’s economic development plan.”

If he gains approval from the council, Anderson would begin his post on Dec. 30. He has been at the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education since 2002 and has focused on forging partnerships between the nonprofit and business leaders as well as led “executive level advisory groups in industry, education and the public-sector,” a county press release said, adding Anderson has experience in “economic and workforce development, research universities, K-12 and non-profit organizations.”

“It is very clear to me that we must focus on retaining and servicing existing businesses in the county as well as making an expanded commitment to workforce development,” Kamenetz said, in a statement. “I think that Will’s skill set is perfectly suited for that task.”

In 2011, the County Council voted to merge the county’s Office of Workforce Development into the Department of Economic Development.