When officials from most area counties went to a retail convention in Las Vegas earlier this year, local businesses paid the way.
But when Harford Countyofficials went, residents paid.
About 100 companies that are based or have “major operations” in Howard County contribute nearly $350,000 every year to the economic development department, which is private and separate from the county government, Howard County Economic Development Authority chief executive officer Dick Story said.
“The marketing money that we spend is the money that comes from the private sector, and so we can do things we might not consider doing with public-sector dollars,” Story said.
When three Howard officials went to the International Council of Shopping Centers convention at the end of May, they spent about $9,400, expense reports show.
Four Harford officials? trip cost more than $11,200, all of which was footed by county taxpayers, according to documents.
Harford?s economic development department, along with Carroll County?s, is incorporated into the county government, while Baltimore, Howard and Anne Arundel counties and Baltimore City have private corporations, said Jim Richardson, Harford?s economic development director.
“I guess it?s how Howard developed, and with us, it just developed a different way,” Richardson said.
Harford County Executive David Craig?s hotel stay cost more than double that of any Howard official, at $2,100 for three nights at the Wynn Las Vegas, where the convention was held.
Hotel employees said he stayed at the cheapest room, but it may have cost more because he made reservations later than others.
The trip may pay off, however.
There is a growing business buzz around the embattled Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen following the convention, which may keep it under the city?s ownership, Aberdeen City Manager Doug Miller told The Examiner.
