GSA proposes trading Hoover Building for new FBI campus (Baltimore: hotels, lawyer)
Washington, DC suburbs in MarylandCalvert County, Charles County, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County
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There are different tiers of retail and it PG is getting a higher tier than it has in the past. A higher tier of retail, restaurants and entertainment is what employers look for in their mix. Of course their are other factors but the quality of options count as well. I agree that they need to be more aggressive with "white collar" jobs but they need other forms of employment for those individuals that are denied entry into industries other than retail etc.
On average regardless of the tiers, how many people who make a career in retail in this region, do you believe live comfortably?
In my opinion, this region doesn't allow that, not even in Prince George's County. If you go to a less expensive region, then I can see it, but not here. I mean even if you have people in those industry that can afford this region, they are likely managers and how many of them exist versus low-level employees? It's not like cashiers or clerks are making $50000/year for all those places.
On average regardless of the tiers, how many people who make a career in retail in this region, do you believe live comfortably?
In my opinion, this region doesn't allow that, not even in Prince George's County. If you go to a less expensive region, then I can see it, but not here. I mean even if you have people in those industry that can afford this region, they are likely managers and how many of them exist versus low-level employees? It's not like cashiers or clerks are making $50000/year for all those places.
I will be the first to say that I don't have the stats but there are people who are either career retailers or long-term employees of retail that use it to supplement their retail. Although this is an educated area it is not so educated that there are not people who, education wise, are only eligible for lower-wage jobs. Take Fort Washington for example. In a recent article in the WP, they showed that only 33% of residents are college educated. That means that 66% don't have a college degree and may not have a high school diploma. Those people need to work as well so what options would they have? Unless they have a specialized trade, more than likely retail or some other hourly wage job. Should we have higher wage jobs in the county. Absolutely. Should we shun lower wage jobs until we get it? Absolutely not. There needs to be jobs that meet all income level. Higher wages will take longer and will require a change in perspective on the county as well as more laws at the state level that are more business friendly.
I will be the first to say that I don't have the stats but there are people who are either career retailers or long-term employees of retail that use it to supplement their retail. Although this is an educated area it is not so educated that there are not people who, education wise, are only eligible for lower-wage jobs. Take Fort Washington for example. In a recent article in the WP, they showed that only 33% of residents are college educated. That means that 66% don't have a college degree and may not have a high school diploma. Those people need to work as well so what options would they have? Unless they have a specialized trade, more than likely retail or some other hourly wage job. Should we have higher wage jobs in the county. Absolutely. Should we shun lower wage jobs until we get it? Absolutely not. There needs to be jobs that meet all income level. Higher wages will take longer and will require a change in perspective on the county as well as more laws at the state level that are more business friendly.
Interesting. I'll have to read that article. Didn't like the fact that PGC came up dark in the picture. lol But that's okay. As far as the 33%/66% figures, how many of those without a degree are actually in school but haven't graduated? Retired? Does vocational education count? I think any type of education is noteworthy. It means a person can accomplish a goal.
Also, I have always said that low-wage jobs are necessary for high school and college students. You can have nothing but high-wage jobs in a county, but where are the high-school and college students, seniors, etc. going to work? Low-wage jobs are stepping stones providing necessary work experience. As far as senior citizens are concerned, the can be adequate supplements to retirement income. They can also be secondary jobs for people who may want to pay down debt or get a little extra cash for something they want.
The only time low-wage jobs are bad is when you're trying to feed a family of four off of them. And undoubtedly, some people will fall into that category. It would be nice to find out just who are the low wage earners broken down by category.
I will be the first to say that I don't have the stats but there are people who are either career retailers or long-term employees of retail that use it to supplement their retail. Although this is an educated area it is not so educated that there are not people who, education wise, are only eligible for lower-wage jobs. Take Fort Washington for example. In a recent article in the WP, they showed that only 33% of residents are college educated. That means that 66% don't have a college degree and may not have a high school diploma. Those people need to work as well so what options would they have? Unless they have a specialized trade, more than likely retail or some other hourly wage job. Should we have higher wage jobs in the county. Absolutely. Should we shun lower wage jobs until we get it? Absolutely not. There needs to be jobs that meet all income level. Higher wages will take longer and will require a change in perspective on the county as well as more laws at the state level that are more business friendly.
Again, do you think it is realistic for someone in this region to make a living working retail?
According to the Census Fort Washington's education level is actually 40% college educated over the age of 25. Not sure if those numbers are consistent with the Post.
Let me state that I am not suggesting that all jobs be high salaried jobs, but it has been well documented how much PG lacks these jobs, which is why this FBI situation is getting so much attention. Your argument about there being more non-college educated workers doesn't really make sense to me. Of course there are less college educated people in PG, there are less jobs for them. People are going to move where they can get a job for the most part. There is a reason why Mississippi has a low population of college educated residents.
The problem is PG County has had too many low paying retail jobs. There is little balance. Housing is getting more expensive but as of right now the biggest job growth the county has had in 5 years is the National Harbor, which consist of mostly retail jobs. And now they are adding casino jobs?
When you think about adding these type of jobs, you have to consider quality of life for those workers. For example, we have read about how workers at National Harbor struggle going home because they don't drive. If you have people who can't afford to have a car, then who is going to have money to spend at high end retail? If you want to expand your economy with more high end retail, you still need your own residents to be able afford it too but if most of the jobs do not leave much disposable income then doesn't it hurt the county? Your clientele would then be more dependent on outside people. That is why I asked that question. If people getting these jobs can't afford to live here then who is going to support these new high end retail.
Of course there are less college educated people in PG, there are less jobs for them. People are going to move where they can get a job for the most part. There is a reason why Mississippi has a low population of college educated residents.
PGC is a very unique situation where as a county being so close to many job cores, there is not necessarily a need to move elsewhere to find work. If I can get from Bowie to DC faster than from Ashburn to DC, then is there really a lack of access to jobs? I can hop on a bus from Langley Park and be in Bethesda in 30 minutes. I think having high-paying jobs in the county speaks more about tax revenue than having jobs close to its citizens. In other parts of the country, it is normal for surrounding counties to be full of residences and few jobs where people commute to a single job center for work. If you can catch a bus, you can find work.
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There is little balance. Housing is getting more expensive but as of right now the biggest job growth the county has had in 5 years is the National Harbor, which consist of mostly retail jobs. And now they are adding casino jobs?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a state fostering its tourism industry. I don't think the county is preferring hospitality to other industries. It's a "let's take what we can get" mentality. If tourism is booming, then by all means, support that industry. Which is a viable industry if you can capitalize on it. Why shouldn't Maryland work to bring more out-of-state visitors and their money? Tourism is an industry that DC has fed off of for decades. No, no one will get rich in the tourism industry which involves hospitality, entertainment, and food services, but let's not knock it. Tourism brings in that much needed tax revenue that everyone complains about the lack thereof. And to be honest, some people have very fulfilling careers in that industry. I welcome the growth of that industry and the low to middle income jobs it brings. It is something Maryland can be proud of.
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If you have people who can't afford to have a car, then who is going to have money to spend at high end retail?
People like me who make 6-figures 15 minutes from my home. Even though you may not have a glut of high paying jobs down the street doesn't mean there is no access to those jobs. Like I said, Bethesda is 30 minutes away. For people in the southern part of the county, Alexandria and Fairfax is across the bridge. Would it be more convenient for those jobs to be within the county? Sure. Like I said, the tax revenue would be great. I'm not sure that because there are few high-paying jobs within the county there is no one within the county that could patron high-end retail.
I don't mind working in DC or VA, or other counties, but do I have to eat, shop, and play in those counties as well? That's why the cry for amenities for us high-salaried workers in the county has been so loud. We don't mind living here and working elsewhere. We just want to enjoy the same leisure activities other counties have. And for a majority minority county that doesn't look like Mississippi, that is a quandary for retailers. Let's be honest, perception is key. The perception for a major part of the country, minority equals low affordability. And retailers shy away from that. PGC is different. A large number of minority residents can afford Cheesecake Factory or a Nordstroms. But those retailers have to change their perceptions and enter this market.
I believe if the FBI locates in Greenbelt, a lot of those perceptions can be dispelled and people will see that PGC is not really what they see on the news or hear about at the water coolers.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin along with Representatives Steny Hoyer and Donna F. Edwards (all D-Md.) today voiced their continued strong support for a proposed site in Greenbelt, Maryland to serve as the future home of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). As a leading candidate for the new location for the FBI headquarters, Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker today submitted a proposal to meet the GSA's December 17 deadline.
"We stand firmly behind Prince George's County as the right choice for the new headquarters of the FBI and support County Executive Baker's proposal for the Greenbelt site. Prince George's County has the ability to donate, at no cost to the federal government, the proposed location that meets the size requirements and is located directly adjacent to a Metro station," Team Maryland said. "An honest analysis of the cost of operations, security, convenience of location for staff, transportation options, and the promotion of regional equity in federal facility distribution should make the proposed Greenbelt, Maryland site the choice location for FBI. This project would bring thousands of jobs to the County, boost our local economy and generate additional revenues for our community. As GSA continues to move forward with the process of selecting a site, we will be working closely together to advocate for bringing this project, and the new economic opportunities that will accompany it, to Prince George's County."
In response to the Lerner submission for the Landover Mall site:
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Aubrey Thagard, economic adviser to Baker, said he has not seen Lerner’s submission and could not comment directly on it. But he said his preference is still with Greenbelt because it would do more than just bring jobs to the county. “For our perspective, we still maintain Greenbelt Metro is the best location for the place of the FBI for a number of reasons,” Thagard said. “I think the county executive has always been consistent and clear that we want the FBI in Prince George’s County.”
Lerner typically gets what he wants, so I take this as a good thing. We'll see.
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