Charles, High-Tech Seen as Ideal Pair

Development Chief Seeks Diverse Jobs

The new economic development director for Charles County said last week that his biggest priority will be attracting high-tech manufacturing jobs to the county.

George Robertson, 60, began work this month after being selected from a large pool of candidates during a lengthy search. He will be paid $144,000 a year.

Most recently, Robertson was the director of a nonprofit business development company in central Louisiana. He also worked for 20 years as the director of economic development in Schenectady, N.Y.

Robertson said the Charles job differs substantially from his previous posts. In Louisiana, he focused on creating jobs in poor areas with low education levels. In Schenectady, he sought to attract jobs even as General Electric had laid off thousands. But he said Charles presents an exciting opportunity.

"This is a growing economy, which makes it a little unique," he said. "The county has a statement about excellence and doing best practices for business, and that's a progressive philosophy that is very attractive."

Although the county's economy is generally strong, there must be more diversity in the types of jobs available, Robertson said. Other than those employed in local government, retail and service jobs, most people must travel outside the county to work, he said, with the majority commuting to Washington or its inner suburbs.

"People ought to have the freedom to stay home and get a job," he said. "Without a wide range of the types of jobs being offered, we deny people that freedom."

Robertson said high-tech companies present some of the most lucrative opportunities for bringing manufacturing jobs to Charles. Many area communities are experiencing a growth in new technology jobs, he said.

Robotics, a growing industry worldwide, could become a major source of jobs in Charles, Robertson said. Local schools already are offering basic training in robotics skills, he said. Similarly, the nanotechnology program at the Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center could help lure private companies to locate nearby, Robertson said.

"In the old paradigm of economic development, which came out of industrial age, everything was low-cost, and that's why companies left America," he said. "But the new paradigm is not low-cost, it's smart employees, and we've got a highly educated workforce to work with."

The search for an economic development director was closely watched. County Administrator Paul W. Comfort and the county commissioners chose not to hire any of the original finalists. After changing his advertising strategy, Comfort presented three new finalists to the commissioners, including Robertson.

Commissioners President Wayne Cooper (D-At Large) said Robertson stood out because of his extensive experience in a variety of settings and his enthusiasm for the possibilities in Charles. Cooper and Comfort said repeatedly that finding a qualified economic development director was one of the county's top priorities.

"George Robertson brings fresh ideas and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the county, and that was clear the first time we talked to him," Cooper said.