The city of Richmond is hiring an official from the D.C. suburbs to serve as its next director of economic development, according to an announcement last week.

Angie Rodgers, who has spent the last five years working in Prince George’s County, Md., as deputy chief administrative officer for economic development, will join Richmond City Hall on Aug. 4. She was hired at an annual salary of $260,000, according to the city.

“Angie brings decades of experience in community-building and economic development,” newly sworn in Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II said in the city’s news release. “There is no question that Richmond is ripe with economic opportunity. In Angie, we will have a trusted leader who can harness that opportunity in a way that uplifts our community, continues to raise our city’s profile, and injects economic vibrancy into our communities.”

After focusing on development and business growth in a populous Maryland county of more than 950,000 people, Rogers will be Richmond’s first permanent economic development director since Leonard Sledge left the job in 2024 to return to the city of Hampton. 

After Sledge’s departure, longtime city official Matthew Welch was picked to serve as economic development director in an interim capacity. It was expected that the winner of the 2024 mayoral election would choose a new leader for the department.

Before her role in Prince George’s County,  Rogers worked in D.C. as chief of staff for the deputy mayor for planning and economic development.

Odie and I are thrilled to have Angie on board,” Richmond Mayor Danny Avula said in the city release.“She brings the expertise and clear vision we need to attract, build, and retain business here in Richmond.”

As many Richmonders struggle under rising city taxes and fees that officials say are necessary to maintain public services, Avula has called economic development key to shifting some of that fiscal burden away from residents by growing the city’s business tax base.

In the city announcement, Rogers said Richmond “has something for everyone.”

“From its beautiful scenery to a wonderful food and beverage scene and a host of historical and cultural landmarks, there is so much to love about the River City,” Rodgers said. “It is an honor to join the Economic Development team; I look forward to doing my part to create a thriving, equitable business landscape that benefits all Richmonders and am grateful for the opportunity to do so.” 

Contact Reporter Graham Moomaw at gmoomaw@richmonder.org