2023 Economic Development Annual Report

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to present to you the 2023 Annual Report from our Calvert County Department of Economic Development. Calvert County’s economic advancement rests upon four fundamental pillars: business development, business retention, agriculture and tourism. These pillars are interwoven and bolstered by our exceptional team of professionals, collaborating closely with the local community and beyond to foster the growth and prosperity of our economy.

In 2023, we saw a boom in the county’s small business growth, welcoming 100 new businesses, two new agritourism operations and awarding nearly $1.2 million in Small Business Assistance Grants to 39 businesses. There has also been a renewed interest in the Patuxent Business Park with a newly constructed 12,600 square foot flex space building and new prospective buyers reaching out in response to targeted business attraction campaigns.

Last year we started working on several new initiatives:

• Revitalizing Prince Frederick through Main Street beautification efforts to enhance its smalltown charm, including seasonal flags lining Main Street, Christmas decorations, Home for the Holidays events and the courthouse tree lighting ceremony.

• Redeveloping the vacant Prince Frederick Armory building, which was demolished this year to make way for an open-air multi-use community pavilion in the heart of the Prince Frederick Town Center, funded through a $2 million state grant.

• Partnering on a Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry Feasibility Study to include potential ferry stops in Calvert County that will help to attract and grow existing businesses in those areas.

• Increasing outreach efforts to raise awareness about Economic Development services by attending more events, creating marketing materials, running a 30-second commercial in the local movie theater and strategic coordination with resource partners.

• Becoming more data-driven and using technology to enhance our support for businesses through two new platforms that enable us to provide better customer service, tracking and reporting.

We have much to be proud of in Calvert County, and it is noticed. This year we welcomed Secretary Kevin Anderson and a delegation from the Maryland Department of Commerce for a meaningful roundtable discussion with business owners and resource partners, followed by a tour of county businesses. The visit underscored the importance of collaboration between state and local entities in achieving shared goals of prosperity and sustainable growth.

We have a strong economy, excellent healthcare, resilient workforce, transparent leadership accountable to our citizens and amenities that help to provide an excellent quality of life. I am grateful to our businesses, resource partners, community leaders and residents who have contributed to our shared success. Together, we are making Calvert County a great place to live, work and prosper!

Sincerely,

Julie Oberg, Director

Julie Oberg Director

Kathy MacAdams Business Retention Specialist

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND ADVISORY BOARD

Kieko Nash Federal Grants Coordinator

Sandra Staples Executive Administrative Assistant

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)

Terri J. Wolfley, Chair

Dana M. Jones, Vice Chair

Dawn C. Balinski

Claude T. Dickinson III

Julie Fuller

Earl F. Hance, Commissioner

Larry Jaworski

Roman Matatov

Warren W. Rice, III

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION (EDAC)

Larry Jaworski, Chair

Tony DeStefano, Vice Chair

Collin Berglund

Susan Cox

Michelle Goodwin

Keith Gross

Stacey Hann-Ruff

Lisa Height-Gross

Mary Lanham

Tim Manley

Dale Moore

Kevin Phillips

Carrie Polk

Kasia Sweeney

David Vollmer

Trish Weaver

Caroline Trossbach Agricultural Development Specialist

EX-OFFICIOS

Katrina Briscoe

Nichole White Business Development Specialist

Small Business Development Center

Earl F. Hance

Calvert County Board of County Commissioners

Nick Braciszewski

Soil Conservation

Judy Mackall Planning & Zoning

Kathy Maney Chamber of Commerce

Alessia O’Dell Career & Technology Academy

Angela Walters-Small College of Southern Maryland

Steve Wall Department of Commerce

Sheebah Smith Deputy Director

Hilary Dailey Tourism Program Specialist

Grace Fadely Business Programs Assistant

Ashley Greely Special Projects Manager

Sarah Frey Tourism & Agriculture Program Assistant

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AGRICULTURE

Calvert County has a rich agricultural history, with farm and maritime activity dating back to the 1600s. Many local farmers and watermen who grow and serve our community today can be found at local farmers markets or seen around the county offering local, healthy produce and experience-based opportunities.

This year, the department focused its marketing strategy to increase awareness about farmers markets and connect buyers and growers with fresh, local agricultural and seafood products. Promotional efforts spanning The BayNet , Valpak and APG Chesapeake advertising campaigns, complemented by posts on Calvert County Government’s social media pages. Inclusion in the Calvert County Parks & Recreation seasonal activity guide and the distribution of digital flyers to Calvert County Public Schools significantly boosted vendor and customer turnout at the 2023 farmers markets.

The department, in partnership with the Calvert County Farmers Market Association, facilitated three producer-only markets located at the Dunkirk District Park, CalvertHealth Medical Center and Sneade’s Ace Home Center in Lusby. In 2023, the association began accepting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Maryland Money Market (MMM) to assist in bringing fresh, local produce to more households in Calvert County. 15 vendors provided delicious food and participated in special events such as

the Buy Local Challenge, National Farmers Market Week and the CalvertHealth Wellness Expos. Throughout the season, local food trucks were a common sight at markets and events, offering a variety of food options. Our advertising efforts led to over 12,000 visits to the farmers market page on our agriculture website, www.CalvertAg.com. The rise in vendor numbers and sales throughout 2023 is promising for future seasons. For information about the 2024 season, please visit www.CalvertAg.com/FarmersMarkets.

The department also organized a Calvert County Farm Tour, gathering local and state partners, elected officials and community leaders to explore three farms and a brewery. The tour highlighted Calvert’s agricultural history, present challenges and future prospects. Discussions ranged from the dominance of tobacco culture in the past to contemporary issues such as increasing deer damage to crops, a community-wide push for locally sourced food and the expanding opportunities in agritourism and restaurant collaborations. Looking ahead, the focus shifts to experimenting with new crops and techniques such as hydroponics, ensuring farm viability, exploring alternative business models and preserving the option for future generations to manage the land. The overarching goal remains to provide quality, nutritious food to the Calvert County community while addressing challenges related to inputs, machinery and succession planning within the agricultural sector.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Business development is a cornerstone of economic development. In Calvert County, our committed business development team collaborates with new and expanding businesses, serves as an ombudsman connecting the business community with regulatory agencies, plays a crucial role in shaping the Patuxent Business Park’s development and actively participates in various impactful initiatives.

In 2023, Calvert County saw a surge with the establishment, expansion and/or relocation of more than 100 diverse businesses encompassing both home-based and those situated in commercial locations. The interest in the arrival of businesses was evident through the 5,012 visits to the “What’s Going Where” page and the 2,974 visits to the New Businesses page on www.ChooseCalvert.com . The prosperity and expansion can be credited to the robust health of the Calvert County economy, the assistance extended to business owners by the department and the effective exploration of numerous successful marketing and advertising opportunities by the business development team.

The business development team maintained more than 50 touchpoints with incoming and prospective businesses at different stages of their business processes. In 2023, the department introduced a business development packet to facilitate the sharing of information about Calvert County. The continued interest in Calvert County is underscored by the substantial 4,858 visits to the property search page on www.ChooseCalvert.com.

The business development team oversees the Economic Development Authority (EDA) appointed by the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners.

The EDA was established to acquire and oversee economic properties in the county, including Calvert County Industrial Park (CCIP) and Patuxent Business Park (PBP), as well as manage loan requests and payments through the Calvert Economic Development Loan Fund (CEDLF).

Throughout the past year, members of the EDA have reviewed a new CEDLF loan request, monitored payments on eight active CEDLF loans, submitted comments on proposed text amendments and provided recommendations regarding PBP prospects. The EDA has also collaborated with the Calvert County Department of Public Works to enhance the CCIP, including replacing business advertisements on the monument sign with an online directory, facilitating the replat of the CCIP Forest Retention Area by allocating $2,500 for COA Barrett review and completion and removing unauthorized signage to maintain the parks’ aesthetics.

Identifying key industries and clusters poised for growth, the business development team has customized economic development initiatives to address specific needs, promote innovation, attract investments and foster sustainable growth for our communities and region.

BUSINESS RETENTION

The main goals of business retention are to retain, support and nurture businesses located within our county. The primary objective of the business retention team is to provide assistance aimed at fostering the growth and success of our local businesses.

In 2023, the department partnered with the Calvert County Department of Communications and Media Relations to launch several successful online marketing campaigns to spotlight local businesses. These campaigns encompassed highlighting business anniversaries year-round, observing Black Business Month in August and honoring businesses with Salute to Business and Shop Local events in November. These webpages garnered 1,128,882, 387 and 447 views respectively. Additionally, these campaigns featured social media spotlights for each participating business, which were some of the top-liked posts on the Calvert County Government Facebook page in 2023.

Six proclamations based on nationally recognized business designations were prepared and presented by the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). These proclamations help to show our support for the importance of the diverse businesses in our county.

Business Appreciation Week, the signature event for the business retention program, was celebrated May 8-12 in partnership with the Career and Technology Academy (CTA) and Calvert County Minority Business Alliance (CCMBA). It included 15 local business visits where ambassador teams led by economic development staff, resource partners and local dignitaries met with business owners to tour and talk about successes and challenges.

The business retention team collaborated with various community and resource partners such as the Huntingtown and Northern High School Future Business Leaders of America chapters, the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, Calvert County Chamber of Commerce, Calvert County Minority Business Alliance (CCMBA) and other county agencies. With the help of these resource partners, the department participated in multiple job fairs and collaborated on 10 workshops covering topics ranging from government contracting to cybersecurity for businesses. In addition, the department organized or collaborated on 13 ribbon cuttings and six business visits.

Our business retention team works with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to ensure funding is provided and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is updated yearly. In 2023, the SBDC received additional funding from the BOCC to retain a Calvert County business consultant full-time to support local businesses. This was a historic milestone, as this type of position had only been part-time in previous years.

Business retention also oversees the Economic Development Advisory Commission (EDAC) appointed by the BOCC.

Since its inception, the EDAC has successfully provided feedback to the BOCC regarding issues that directly affect the business community. In addition, the EDAC provides valuable feedback on zoning amendments and other regulatory items at the request of the BOCC.

Over the past calendar year, they have provided written comments for text amendments and participated in discussions and presentations related to Calvert County’s Sustainable Community Program as well as the College of Southern Maryland’s Workforce Development Program. The EDAC has also provided feedback on the Small Business Assistance Grant Fund and participated in discussions and presentations related to CalvertHealth Medical Center, its affiliation with Duke and new CEO and President Jeremy Bradford. The EDAC has and will continue to provide input and guidance in the creation of a new Economic Development Strategic Plan that will replace the current 2021-2024 plan.

The department would also like to remember long term EDAC Vice-Chair Tony DeStefano, who passed away this year, for his dedicated service to the community and our various commissions since 2007.

Calvert County Small Business Assistance Grant (March 2023)

$1,160,251.00 TOTAL AWARDED

39 BUSINESSES

84% OF TOTAL FUNDING HAS BEEN SPENT YEAR END

$972,319.57 SPENT YEAR END

24 GRANTEES HAVE COMPLETED PROJECTS/SPENT 100% OF FUNDING

TOURISM

Tourism continues to be an economic driver for Calvert County. In 2023 alone, Calvert County welcomed over 700,000 visitors to its major attractions including Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center and Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, which celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2023. This generates thousands of dollars in visitor spending and local tax revenue. There was also a greater focus on marketing Calvert County attractions and activities to Calvert County residents after the pandemic with initiatives such as the “Pit Stop” campaign to highlight dog-friendly sites in partnership with the Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter.

Interest in Calvert County continues to be strong with 32,839 requests for visitor information fulfilled by our staff, and another 53,000 requests fulfilled by distribution partners throughout the east coast. We anticipate this interest continuing to grow as Calvert County is currently partnering with four Maryland counties to participate in an ongoing Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry feasibility study. In mid-2023, consultants visited and analyzed 22 suggested ferry stops around the bay and, should

the study demonstrate that a passenger ferry system be viable on the Chesapeake Bay, identified two possible ferry stops in Calvert County.

The department maintains its strong partnerships with county attractions by sponsoring local events such as the Watermen’s Festival and the Solomons Christmas Walk. Additionally, we established the Tourism Development Incentive Fund, which allows attractions to apply to help offset support service charges associated with their special events as well as the charges for digital and print advertising campaigns to promote Calvert County as a desirable place to host a new event. The tourism team also kicked off a new initiative in 2023 called the Tourism Roundtable. This allowed for coordination and cooperation of attractions, accommodations, organizations and businesses to market Calvert County to visitors.

The team was also excited to work on a redesign of the Calvert County Visitors Guide that became available in early 2024. To view or request a copy, visit our website at www.VisitCalvert.com/Brochure

Nestled between the scenic Chesapeake Bay and the Patuxent River, Calvert County is located 30 miles southeast of Washington, D.C., with strategic proximity to Baltimore, Annapolic, the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and major transportation corridors.

60+ acres of shovel-ready industrial/o ce sites with in-place infrastructure within a Federal Opportunity Zone and Calvert County Commerce Zone that provides tax incentives and credits to qualifying businesses and developers.

Aggressive economic development incentives and exible development plan.

LIVE, WORK, PROSPER IN CALVERT COUNTY

LIVE, WORK, PROSPER IN CALVERT COUNTY

LIVE, WORK, PROSPER IN CALVERT COUNTY

LIVE, WORK, PROSPER IN CALVERT COUNTY

The Department of Economic Development plays a crucial role in Calvert County by monitoring economic trends and implementing business programs that foster economic growth. In addition to its primary goal of attracting and retaining strong, healthy and dynamic companies across various industries, the department also focuses on promoting the growth and development of the county’s agriculture and tourism sectors. By supporting these key areas, the department aims to create a diverse and thriving economy that makes Calvert County a great place to live, work and play.

The Department of Economic Development plays a crucial role in Calvert County by monitoring economic trends and implementing business programs that foster economic growth. In addition to its primary goal of attracting and retaining strong, healthy and dynamic companies across various industries, the department also focuses on promoting the growth and development of the county’s agriculture and tourism sectors. By supporting these key areas, the department aims to create a diverse and thriving economy that makes Calvert County a great place to live, work and play.

The Department of Economic Development plays a crucial role in Calvert County by monitoring economic trends and implementing business programs that foster economic growth. In addition to its primary goal of attracting and retaining strong, healthy and dynamic companies across various industries, the department also focuses on promoting the growth and development of the county’s agriculture and tourism sectors. By supporting these key areas, the department aims to create a diverse and thriving economy that makes Calvert County a great place to live, work and play.

The Department of Economic Development plays a crucial role in Calvert County by monitoring economic trends and implementing business programs that foster economic growth. In addition to its primary goal of attracting and retaining strong, healthy and dynamic companies across various industries, the department also focuses on promoting the growth and development of the county’s agriculture and tourism sectors. By supporting these key areas, the department aims to create a diverse and thriving economy that makes Calvert County a great place to live, work and play.

The economic development team acts as a catalyst for promoting projects within the parameters set by the Comprehensive Plan to boost the commercial tax base, generate jobs, retain businesses and attract visitors. With a keen emphasis on environmental sensitivity and community interests, the team is wholeheartedly committed to fostering the growth of prosperous businesses that cultivate a thriving workforce while preserving a sustainable and harmonious relationship with the environment to ensure a high quality of life for all.

The economic development team acts as a catalyst for promoting projects within the parameters set by the Comprehensive Plan to boost the commercial tax base, generate jobs, retain businesses and attract visitors. With a keen emphasis on environmental sensitivity and community interests, the team is wholeheartedly committed to fostering the growth of prosperous businesses that cultivate a thriving workforce while preserving a sustainable and harmonious relationship with the environment to ensure a high quality of life for all.

The economic development team acts as a catalyst for promoting projects within the parameters set by the Comprehensive Plan to boost the commercial tax base, generate jobs, retain businesses and attract visitors. With a keen emphasis on environmental sensitivity and community interests, the team is wholeheartedly committed to fostering the growth of prosperous businesses that cultivate a thriving workforce while preserving a sustainable and harmonious relationship with the environment to ensure a high quality of life for all.

Services

Services

Services

The economic development team acts as a catalyst for promoting projects within the parameters set by the Comprehensive Plan to boost the commercial tax base, generate jobs, retain businesses and attract visitors. With a keen emphasis on environmental sensitivity and community interests, the team is wholeheartedly committed to fostering the growth of prosperous businesses that cultivate a thriving workforce while preserving a sustainable and harmonious relationship with the environment to ensure a high quality of life for all.

Services

The department offers a range of valuable services at no cost, including marketing support through websites, social media and advertising, workshops and training opportunities, financial support assistance, reports and analyses on demographics, workforce and economic indicators and so much more. Interested individuals can explore the additional free services provided by the department below.

The department offers a range of valuable services at no cost, including marketing support through websites, social media and advertising, workshops and training opportunities, financial support assistance, reports and analyses on demographics, workforce and economic indicators and so much more. Interested individuals can explore the additional free services provided by the department below.

The department offers a range of valuable services at no cost, including marketing support through websites, social media and advertising, workshops and training opportunities, financial support assistance, reports and analyses on demographics, workforce and economic indicators and so much more. Interested individuals can explore the additional free services provided by the department below.

Business Development and Expansion

Business Development and Expansion

Business Development and Expansion

• Help navigating the regulatory process

• Site selection assistance

• Help navigating the regulatory process

• Site selection assistance

• Help navigating the regulatory process

The department offers a range of valuable services at no cost, including marketing support through websites, social media and advertising, workshops and training opportunities, financial support assistance, reports and analyses on demographics, workforce and economic indicators and so much more. Interested individuals can explore the additional free services provided by the department below.

• Site selection assistance

• Commercial real estate listings and reports

• Commercial real estate listings and reports

• Entrepreneurship support

Tourism

Tourism

• Entrepreneurship support

• Commercial real estate listings and reports

• Groundbreakings and new business opportunities

Business Development and Expansion

• Groundbreakings and new business opportunities

• Entrepreneurship support

• Help navigating the regulatory process

• Groundbreakings and new business opportunities

• Site selection assistance

Business Retention and Support

• Commercial real estate listings and reports

Business Retention and Support

• Confidential business counseling

Tourism

• Visitor Attraction

• Visitor Attraction

• Support to the tourism and hospitality industries

• Visitor Attraction

• Support to the tourism and hospitality industries

• Publication of brochures and guides

• Publication of brochures and guides

• Support to the tourism and hospitality industries

• Support of special events and tourism activities

Business Retention and Support

• Confidential business counseling

• Entrepreneurship support

• Incentive and loan fund programs

• Incentive and loan fund programs

• Confidential business counseling

• Groundbreakings and new business opportunities

• Resources for businesses growth opportunities

• Resources for businesses growth opportunities

• Incentive and loan fund programs

• Workforce development

• Workforce development

• Resources for businesses growth opportunities

Business Retention and Support

• Anniversary acknowledgments and ribbon cuttings

• Workforce development

• Anniversary acknowledgments and ribbon cuttings

• Business planning and strategy development

• Confidential business counseling

• Anniversary acknowledgments and ribbon cuttings

• Business planning and strategy development

• Ombudsman program

• Incentive and loan fund programs

• Business planning and strategy development

• Ombudsman program

• Resources for businesses growth opportunities

• Ombudsman program

• Workforce development

• Anniversary acknowledgments and ribbon cuttings

• Business planning and strategy development

• Ombudsman program

Tourism

• Publication of brochures and guides

• Support of special events and tourism activities

• Support of special events and tourism activities

• Visitor Attraction

Agriculture

Agriculture

• Seasonal farmers markets

Agriculture

• Support to the tourism and hospitality industries

• Seasonal farmers markets

• Publication of brochures and guides

• Seasonal farmers markets

• Programs and services for farmers and growers

• Programs and services for farmers and growers

• Connection to regional resources

• Support of special events and tourism activities

• Connection to regional resources

• Programs and services for farmers and growers

• Connection to regional resources

Agriculture

• Seasonal farmers markets

• Programs and services for farmers and growers

• Connection to regional resources