Annapolis, MD (October 6, 2026) – The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) and County Executive Steuart Pittman celebrated the businesses that strengthen Anne Arundel County’s economy and communities during Business Appreciation Week, held September 28 through October 2, 2026.
Throughout the week, nearly 50 ambassadors joined AAEDC staff to visit nearly 60 businesses across Anne Arundel County. Participating ambassadors included County Executive Pittman, representatives from more than a dozen county departments, five chambers of commerce, members of the AAEDC Board of Directors, the City of Annapolis, and numerous economic and workforce development partners.
“I love Business Appreciation Week,” said County Executive Pittman. “Our visits are nothing more than a time to say thank you, and we don’t do enough of that. Please support our local businesses, and thank them!”
Each visit provided business owners and organizational leaders with an opportunity to share their history, accomplishments, challenges, and plans for the future. Ambassadors also discussed county and partner resources available to support business operations and growth. All participating businesses received an official citation from County Executive Pittman in recognition of its contributions to Anne Arundel County.
“AAEDC works directly with businesses throughout the year, but Business Appreciation Week allows us to engage with dozens of companies across the county during one concentrated week,” said AAEDC President and CEO Amy Gowan. “These visits give us an opportunity to go out into our community, celebrate the people behind our local economy, better understand the challenges they face, and gather valuable feedback that helps shape the programs and resources we provide.”
This year, AAEDC received nearly 100 requests from businesses interested in participating, underscoring the continued enthusiasm for the program. The final schedule included a wide variety of businesses from communities throughout Anne Arundel County and represented a wide range of industries, business sizes, and stages of growth, from emerging entrepreneurs to companies that have served the community for generations.
Participating businesses included 40 women- minority- and Veteran-owned businesses. They included over 20 industry sectors, from agriculture and education to food service and fitness.
Business Appreciation Week returned in 2023 following a five-year hiatus. Since then, AAEDC and its partners have visited 285 businesses, strengthening relationships between the county and its business community while identifying opportunities to improve services and support continued economic growth.
Anne Arundel County’s Business Appreciation Week was held in conjunction with the Maryland Economic Development Association’s Maryland Economic Development Week, a statewide celebration highlighting the role of economic development in strengthening Maryland’s business climate, creating and retaining jobs, expanding the tax base, and enhancing quality of life.
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About the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation
Founded in 1993, the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Annapolis, Maryland. AAEDC’s mission is to foster diverse economic growth by empowering businesses, expanding job opportunities, and revitalizing communities in Anne Arundel County. As the go-to partner for local businesses, AAEDC supports the Anne Arundel County business community with key resources and services including financing, site selection, permitting and zoning guidance, market research, community revitalization, and small business counseling. Guided by its core values of connectivity, responsiveness, creativity, and excellence, AAEDC builds strategic partnerships and delivers innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of the business community. Learn more at www.aaedc.org.