This story was corrected on Oct. 28, 2011. An explanation follows the story.

Amid the still-skittish economic climate, several Prince George’s businesses touted their successes during a tour by county officials Wednesday.

Companies in Laurel, Temple Hills and Upper Marlboro were featured during the tour, part of Maryland Economic Development Week.

As the state has emphasized its efforts to strengthen the economy through programs and policies, developer Jackson-Shaw, with regional headquarters in Lanham, boasted of its ability to fill 400,000 square feet at the Brick Yard in Laurel and Beltsville in four years. Jackson-Shaw has leased seven of the nine buildings, and has plans for four more.

Tenants include Limbach Co., a mechanical contractor in Pittsburgh, which leased 40,000 square feet, half of which is being used for production and manufacturing. Although the company started with 80 percent of the property, it leased the rest a year later in preparation for near-term needs, said Kyle Knoernschild, branch controller for the location. About 180 people work at the location, with two-thirds doing off-site work, he said.

“We want to point out that Class A space is available in Prince George’s. ... There’s clearly a demand for it,” said Thomas J. Aylward III, vice president of development for Jackson-Shaw, whose headquarters are in Dallas.

Jackson-Shaw also plans for a $150 million, 290-home residential component that will be within walking distance of the nearby MARC train station and be complemented by 30,000 square feet of retail space. The company wants to start the roads and infrastructure improvements this fall.

“This is a fantastic location,” Aylward said, referring to the project’s proximity to Interstate 95, the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and the upcoming Intercounty Connector.

“We have a major competitive advantage here, with all of this developable land and near affordable transit,” said County Councilman Mel Franklin (D-Dist. 9) of Upper Marlboro.

The Harvey Cos, managers of the 90,000-square-foot Hillcrest Heights Shopping Center in Temple Hills, also lauded the center’s ability to land Evergeen Supermarket, originally part of a group in New York, three months after losing its Safeway anchor in August. Evergreen plans to use the Temple Hills store as a model for future stores in the county, Evergreen co-owner Jasmine Meng said.

“We were concerned that would affect the rest of the center, but the citizens have been very loyal,” said Josh Fernebok, co-owner of Hillcrest Heights. “They’re very excited about Evergreen.”

Evergreen is hiring 60 employees at the 33,000-square-foot store and working closely with a District 7 training director and the county’s work force services to ensure local employment, said Earle A. Gumbs, president of the Hillcrest/Marlow Heights Civic Association.

“The county isn’t just focused on development but also redevelopment,” said County Councilwoman Karen R. Toles (D-Dist.7) of Suitland.

County officials also visited the 70,000-square-foot site planned for the headquarters of TSI/Exterior Wall Systems in Upper Marlboro. TSI secured the property through assistance from the county’s Economic Development Corp. The company expects to move in by January.

lrobbins@gazette.net

Correction: The original version incorrectly quoted County Councilman Mel Franklin.