They'll always have Paris

County officials will trek to air show to schmooze foreign defense contractors

Friday, June 12, 2009

Charles County Commissioner Gary V. Hodge (D), County Administrator Paul W. Comfort and county Economic Development Director George L. Robertson will represent the county at the International Paris Air Show June 16 through 20. That's Paris, France.

They will appear at the Maryland booth and as guests in the pavilion of British ejection-seat manufacturer Martin-Baker Aircraft Co Ltd.

Costs for the $7,000 trip are covered by private funds raised by the former Charles County Economic Development Commission, according to a county press release.

"Our goal is to try to bring in new defense businesses to the [Indian Head] science and technology park that are complements to our energetics program," Hodge said. "I think we've got some strength in our team going over there."

Other counties and military agencies in Maryland have previously attended the conference, but this will be the first time Charles County has had representation, an opportunity created in large part by the recently developed relationship between the county and Martin-Baker, which agreed last October to be the first occupant in the county's new energetics technology park in Bryans Road.

Robertson said as the time for the air show drew closer, questions had arisen concerning whether or not the county would be attending. Martin-Baker extended the invitation to share in the exposure that comes with hosting a booth.

"I think it's going to be very exciting," Robertson said. "Every defense contractor in the world will be there."

As the country's defense department leans strongly in favor of American-made critical defense components, international contractors have turned their attention to the states to find locations for their manufacturing plants, Robertson said.

Since Charles County is within two hours of several dozen military and defense organizations "this is absolutely the right time to talk to foreign defense companies," Robertson said.

The county already has several appointments scheduled with other defense contractors, the economic development director said, and his team will also spend time talking with regional agencies such as the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River and the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission.

Hodge said the businesses that end up meeting with his the county delegation can expect "a good pitch to locate to Charles County."

Robertson and Comfort will have all the details about location, infrastructure and transportation in the county at their fingertips, Hodge said.

Hodge has extensive experience working with the Navy at the Patuxent Naval Air Station and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division, a portion of his resume which lends itself to the commissioner's familiarity with the defense industry. He has also seen his fair share of trade shows abroad.

"I believe on trips like these, having an elected policy maker in the group — when appropriate — ramps up the profile a little bit," Hodge said.

The colossal conference switches location each year between Paris and London.

The actual show will be held several hours outside the city, Robertson said.

msomers@somdnews.com