Local leaders say weak economy isn't going away any time soon

As Anne Arundel faces what could be the most challenging economic climate of its history, local business leaders said they believe the county has what it takes to weather the worsening recession next year.

But they said they don't expect a full recovery any time soon.

"We are maybe in the fourth or fifth inning here in this county," said Rick Morgan, president and chief executive officer of CommerceFirst Bank, a business bank based in Annapolis. "We're not going to go where some other markets are. There are too many good things happening here."

Anne Arundel County has long boasted those good...