Greg Holmes Steps Forward: A New Vision for Prince George’s County
By Barry O’Connell| Maryland Wire | February 2026
Greg Holmes says leadership begins with service — and that lesson has guided him from his family’s small business at Landover Mall to his new campaign for Prince George’s County Executive.
A third-generation county resident, Holmes credits his parents with teaching him that wealth isn’t just money — it’s opportunity and responsibility. “Our store was the first Black-owned business in Landover Mall,” he recalled. “It was our way of giving back to the community, but also of showing what it takes to build something lasting.” That ethic of service has shaped his approach to both business and public life.
A call for competent, vision-driven leadership
After more than a year of what he describes as “directionless governance” under the current administration, Holmes says residents are ready for change. In the 45 days since launching his exploratory campaign, he says he’s spoken with more than 300 residents — 90 to 95% of whom believe the county “is going in the wrong direction.”
“Everything rises and falls on leadership,” Holmes said. “You need vision, competence, and a willingness to build a culture where investment is welcome.”
Holmes argues that the county’s leadership void has scared away serious investors and left local businesses adrift. He points to structural failures in areas like disaster preparedness and transparency between county government and developers as symptoms of a broader management problem. “We keep repeating mistakes,” he said. “That’s a failure of preparation and accountability. Residents deserve better.”
Building a real economy — not just more rooftops
Holmes’s campaign message centers on one powerful idea: shifting the economic focus of Prince George’s County toward sustainable commercial development and technology innovation. “It’s easy to buy land and build houses,” he said. “It’s much harder to build an ecosystem that attracts employers, innovators, and investors.”
He points out that 90% of the county’s tax base currently comes from residential property — a ratio he calls “unsustainable.” His fix? A mix of commercial redevelopment, investment in opportunity zones, and a strategy to fully leverage the county’s seldom-discussed foreign trade zone status.
“We’re sitting on resources that could transform our economy, but no one is connecting the dots,” he said.
Technology, partnerships, and a pipeline for young talent
Part of Holmes’s private-sector work already models the kind of innovation-driven public policy he envisions. Through his nonprofit, he’s built a partnership between Prince George’s Community College and Cisco Systems, linking local students in Cisco’s networking academy directly to tech projects and certifications that lead to hiring.
“We’re giving young people real credentials and an on-ramp into Maryland’s 30,000 unfilled tech jobs,” Holmes said. “It’s workforce development from the ground up — and it’s happening right here in the county.”
Holmes has also launched a tech incubator and “tech club” in partnership with Cisco to foster start-ups and strengthen the local innovation economy. He believes that making Prince George’s County a regional technology hub isn’t just possible — it’s necessary.
A campaign rooted in service
From Jesuit schooling at Gonzaga College High School, where he learned to be “a man for others,” to his decades of entrepreneurship and community organizing, Holmes’s story is as much about values as policy.
“Service is where leadership comes from,” he said. “It’s not about being in charge. It’s about being responsible.”
In a county hungry for direction, Holmes’s message of preparedness, competence, and economic renewal could resonate deeply. Whether voters ultimately agree, it’s clear he intends to put those principles — and his experience — squarely at the center of Prince George’s political conversation.
Citations:
[1] Building a County-Based Future: Tech, Talent & Economic Power https://www.nfhf8.org/newsandupdates/building-a-county-based-future-tech-talent-amp-economic-power
[2] Foreign Trade Zone — Prince George’s County Economic ... https://www.pgcedc.com/foreign-trade-zone
[3] Networking CISCO Academy - Prince George’s County Public Schools https://www.pgcps.org/schools/duval-high/departments/programs/networking
[4] Greg Holmes for Prince George’s
https://www.gregholmesforpg.com
[5] [PDF] Economic Development Tools - Prince George’s County Council https://www.pgccouncil.us/DocumentCenter/View/3875/Economic-Development-Tools
[6] Prince george's community college jobs - Indeed https://www.indeed.com/q-prince-george’s-community-college-jobs.html?vjk=1bdfa8b4659b906d
[7] Signature Lectures - UGA Provost’s Office https://provost.uga.edu/events-programs/signature-lectures/
[8] [PDF] Foreclosure Hot Spots in Maryland https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Documents/ForeclosureRpts/Foreclosure-Hot-Spots-MD-2025-Q1.pdf
[9] Prince george's community college jobs - Indeed https://www.indeed.com/q-prince-george’s-community-college-jobs.html?vjk=0cf7de3e727b50b3
[10] [PDF] Congressional Record - GovInfo https://www.indeed.com/q-prince-george’s-community-college-jobs.html?vjk=1bdfa8b4659b906dhttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2025-12-15/pdf/CREC-2025-12-15-senate.pdf
What are his thoughts on building data centers in Maryland?