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CEDC Board issues statement on Paul Kelly’s resignation

June 25th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

The Board of the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation has accepted the resignation of Executive Director Paul J. Kelly, Jr. While we regret that he will no longer be leading our
organization in the pursuit of the betterment of Cumberland, he has left us and the City stronger than when he stepped into the role three years ago. Mr. Kelly accepted this position
with a fierce determination to bring a common-sense business perspective to the status quo; a strategy which will continue upon his departure. It is anticipated that Mr. Kelly will serve as the
Executive Director until roughly August 31, 2020, and that he will assist the CEDC Board with the selection of, and transition to, a new director. Further, it is anticipated that Mr. Kelly will
continue to serve as a resource for the CEDC following his departure. The CEDC is primarily recognized for spearheading several cornerstone projects designed to
integrate and reimagine various neighborhoods of the City. As just a few examples, the CEDC
efforts currently include commissioning a housing analysis that will drive decision making for
strategic neighborhood investment, ensuring Cumberland remains in the best position to
attract a dynamic workforce.
The transformative Baltimore Street project is well underway, fueled by stakeholder support
from all levels of government, including the CEDC securing several large state grants with the
staunch support of the state delegation and the Hogan Administration. In its relatively brief 5-
year existence, the CEDC has generated a 500% return on the City’s budget investment by
acquiring funding and generating equity in the amount of approximately $8,500,000.
Many, if not most, of the CEDC activities do not garner the same attention as the “signature”
projects often covered by local media. For example, the CEDC recently engaged in over 300
telephone consultations with small businesses in a 45-day period related to COVID-19 relief.
Also, the CEDC recently assisted a medium size business with the hiring of 50 new employees,
and two local medium size businesses with the expansion of their manufacturing facilities.
“We thank Paul Kelly for all that he has accomplished at the helm of the organization,” said
CEDC Board of Directors Chairman Jonathan Hutcherson. “We are proud of all that the
organization has accomplished in its last five years, and will continue our work to make
Cumberland the best place to raise a family and start a business.”

4 Responses to “CEDC Board issues statement on Paul Kelly’s resignation”

  1. June 25, 2020 at 12:40 pm, mac said:

    A puff piece, all techno babble and political doublespeak.

    Reply

    • June 25, 2020 at 5:24 pm, Jay said:

      Good grief, who formats this website? There are some many mistakes and inconsistencies with the story layouts, syntax, fonts, and general appearance and presentation. Looks like a tech ed assignment in a beginning website building class in middle school.

      Reply

  2. June 25, 2020 at 12:54 pm, Hoagie said:

    Ill be back. Going to get my hip waders on.

    Reply

  3. June 25, 2020 at 2:48 pm, Bob said:

    Cumberland’s economic situation is dismal; downtown is a ghost town which even Dollar stores are abandoning. Considering how the city has fared during the last three years of CEDC meddling and massive debt accumulation, years which were boom times for the nation as a whole, it is folly to prescribe more of the same during a world depression. The city as well has been going deeper and deeper into debt as its leaders think only of the low interest rates with no thought of the principle. It took about 40 years during much better economic times locally to pay off just $1 million borrowed to brick over Baltimore Street. Stop indebting the city to make matters worse just to give a few people “executive” and “managerial” sinecures.

    Reply

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