|
Rating Agencies Affirm County's Sound, but Positive Financial Outlook
Three independent credit rating agencies have given Calvert County strong credit ratings due to our consistently sound financial operations, strong reserves, conservative fiscal policies and growing economy.
Fitch Ratings and Standard and Poor's Ratings Services reaffirmed their highest AAA ratings. Moody's Investor Service rating of Aa1 improved from stable to positive outlook. The ratings are assigned to Calvert County's 2014 issue of consolidated public improvement bonds totaling $9.04 million and are reaffirmed for the county's outstanding debt.
Fitch Ratings noted that Calvert County continues to maintain a strong financial position with manageable long-term liabilities and strong credit fundamentals. The county's strong socioeconomic factors such as a low unemployment rate and high income levels - ranging from 28 to 78 percent above state and national norms - continue to play a key role in maintaining a AAA rating.
Standard & Poor's Rating Services cited the following as the primary reasons for reaffirming the county's AAA standing: An expanding local economy, strong income and property wealth, historically low unemployment rates and steady property tax base growth, strong finances, sound fiscal policies, conservative management practices and low debt with manageable additional capital needs guided by debt affordability guidelines. The report also notes that "the county's business outlook appears to be very strong, highlighted by a number of significant economic development projects, including Dominion Resources Inc.'s multibillion-dollar liquefaction project."
Moody's Investor Services Aa1 rating reflects "the county's strong financial position, characterized by comprehensive fiscal policies and practices, healthy liquidity and reserves, and a low debt burden with rapid retirement of principal."
The rating is also the result of the county's affordable capital plan, sizeable tax base and resident wealth levels. The expected substantial revenue benefits from the planned $3.8 billion Dominion Cove Point LNG export project also played a role in the rating.
"This news shows that Calvert County remains on the right fiscal track," said Board of County Commissioners President Pat Nutter. "A strong credit rating reduces financing costs for our bond issues, and that means significant savings to county taxpayers."
The BOCC voted on May 6 to accept the bid on the county's bond issue made by UBS Financial Service, with a true interest cost of 2.83 percent, the lowest rate of the eight bids received for this offering. The proceeds will fund several of the county's capital projects, including $2.5 million in improvements to Williams Road in Prince Frederick, $1.5 million to expand the public safety communication system and more.
For more information on Calvert County's financial policies, please contact Tim Hayden, Director of Finance and Budget, at 410-535-1600, ext. 2435, via email or visit online. |
|
Great Deals, Fresh Produce Are In Season at Calvert's Farmers Markets
There's nothing like the taste of a fresh strawberry, picked from the vine and popped into your mouth.
In Calvert County each year, experience the taste of the freshest vegetables  grown right here in the county and sold at farmers markets four days a week. The market locations span the length of the county, so there is bound to be one close by. The markets opened this month and are available through November.
- Prince Frederick: 3-7 p.m. Tuesdays at a parking lot of Calvert Memorial Hospital
- Solomons: 4-8 p.m. Thursdays in the parking lot adjacent to the Riverwalk
- North Beach: 6-9 p.m. Fridays on 5th and 7th Streets and Bay Avenue
- Barstow: 7:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays at the Calvert Fairgrounds on Route 231
Late spring markets include items like bedding plants (vegetables, herbs and flowers), hanging baskets and tasty salad greens, asparagus, kale and strawberries. Markets will include many of the favorite vendors from last year with plenty of fresh produce, baked goods, seafood and cut flowers.
Our farmers markets are producer-only, so vendors only sell produce raised by a local farmer. Each market offers products that are available seasonally in this region.
All county farmers markets accept WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers from the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
For more information on Calvert County's agricultural community, visit www.calvertag.com or contact the Calvert County Department of Economic Development at 410-535-4583 or 301-855-1880, via email or on the Web.
|
 | |
Pictured are Commissioner Jerry Clark, Commissioner Steve Weems, Juwan D. Hawkins, Caitlyn Mitchell, Rachael J. Warner, Commissioners President Pat Nutter, Commissioner Susan Shaw and Commissioner Evan Slaughenhoupt. |
Employees Award College Scholarships Totaling $2,000
Three Calvert County students received an extra boost in their college funds May 6 as Calvert County Government's Employee Recognition Committee (ERC) awarded scholarships totaling $2,000.
The ERC annually offers college scholarships to two graduating high school seniors who are dependents of Calvert County Government employees and to one county government employee pursuing a college degree. This year's winners are:
Juwan D. Hawkins
Calvert County employee at the Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center
$500 Award
A National Honor Society member, Hawkins is graduating from Huntingtown High School with a grade point average of 88.95 and is ranked 121 out of 410 students. Among his many achievements, Hawkins played junior varsity basketball and football and varsity football; participated in the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Associations (MPSSAA) Indoor Track & Field Class 3A State Championship; received the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) DC Professional Chapter Young Leader's Award; and served as a member of Brothers Reaching Out.
Hawkins has attended the MPSSAA Student Athlete Leadership Conference, the NSBE National Conference and the Future Business Leaders of America state conference. He plans to attend North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in Greensboro. Hawkins' mother, Ramona A. Parran, is a Calvert County Government employee at the Calvert Control Center.
Caitlyn Mitchell
Daughter of Michelle L. Mitchell, Circuit Court Office Assistant
$500 Award Mitchell is graduating from Huntingtown High School with a grade point average of 85.90. She is a member of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), the Academy of Finance, the Huntingtown High School Dance Team, the Junior Achievement Financial Literacy Program and is vice president of the Distributive Education Club of America.
Mitchell pursued her interest in finance through organizing and serving as president of the Huntingtown High School Accounting Club; coordinating fundraisers for Relay for Life and FBLA; interning with Calvert County Government's Department of Finance and Budget; and conducting free tax preparation for the Farming 4 Hunger project. She is interested in pursuing a career as a forensic accountant and plans to attend Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, Pa.
Rachael J. Warner
Daughter of Barbara J. Warner, Department of Finance and Budget Executive
Administrative Assistant
$1,000 Award Warner is graduating from Patuxent High School with a grade point average of 83.26 and is ranked 99 out of 281 students. She is a member of the Foreign Language Honor Society, Future Educators of America, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Teacher's Academy of Maryland.
Her active high school career included participating in junior varsity and varsity field hockey as well as community clubs like Teen Scene (as co-founder), World Vision, Karsyn's Karnival and MoJo for Grace. Warner also works as a teacher's aide at Grover Place Child Care Center and participated in a student internship program in which she taught in local middle schools. She plans to attend Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C.
The ERC raises funds for the scholarship program through vending sales at county buildings and coordinates the application process. Applications are evaluated on the basis of academic achievement; extra-curricular activities, both in and out of school; community service involvement; honors and awards; and letters of recommendation. In addition, each applicant is asked to submit an essay.
|
|
What Is Economic Development?
Economic development is typically measured in terms of jobs and income, and economic sustainability. It is also the balance of maintaining quality of life while attracting, retaining and recruiting business in a community.
Calvert County's economy remains strong. While this can be attributed to a variety of economic factors such as the County's location in the Greater Washington and Baltimore Regions and the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, it can also be attributed to the strength of the local business community, local services, our unique geographic maritime location and most importantly, quality of life. This, combined with a local commitment to economic development, ensures the strength and viability of the economy.
To ensure that the local economy continues to grow and strengthen, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), through its Department of Economic Development (DED), continually monitors economic trends and also works to execute business programs that complement Calvert County. The goal of the DED is to attract and retain strong, healthy and dynamic companies - of all sizes and industries - to provide employment opportunities for Calvert County residents, increase the commercial tax base, market the tourism and visitor attractions to increase the number of visitors to the County and to provide meaningful services to the business community through a dynamic retention effort. Business retention is a key factor of the County's in maintaining a strong, local business climate.
To support the business community, the County provides:
- Confidential, in-house business counseling
- Management of confidential client and prospect information
- Marketing assistance
- Financial referrals and assistance
- A business ombudsman program
- Business retention and visitation program
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC) counseling
- Access to the Calvert Economic Development Loan Fund
- Training and educational seminars
- Workforce development coordination
- Identification of key issues and problems through business surveys
- Fast Track permit program
By providing these services, the County continues to demonstrate strong economic growth, evidenced by the continued growth in the local business community, the commercial tax base, local employment and increases in tourism spending. While all this information may be positive and promising, the County continues to recognize that, to effect changes, they must remain sensitive to the environment and responsive to community interests. By working carefully with all stakeholders, we will be able to continue to create strategic, long-range plans that benefit both the commercial tax base and the residents. |
|
|
|
What's Happening
in Calvert County
The temperatures are heating up, and so is the calendar. There are many wonderful things to see and do in Calvert County.
Check out the local events calendar.
|
|
Tell Us About a Beautiful Person
Do you know someone whose volunteer service has made Calvert County a better place to live? Nominate them today for the annual Calvert You Are Beautiful Volunteer Awards.
Nominated volunteers might be a tour guide at a museum or historic landmark, someone who organizes a local fair, festival or parade, or the person committed to making a difference by giving generously of their time to hospices, hospitals, homeless and other social service agencies. All nominees must be residents of Calvert County.
Nomination forms are available online or by calling the Department of Economic Development at 410-535-4583. Completed nomination forms should be returned to Calvert You Are Beautiful c/o Katie Brittain, Department of Economic Development, Courthouse, Prince Frederick, 20678. Applications must be postmarked or hand delivered to the Department of Economic Development by July 11, 2014. All Calvert County nominees will be honored at a local awards ceremony in fall 2014; one special nominee will be chosen as the volunteer of the year.
|
|
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day Coming Up
Dispose of household hazardous waste from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 21 at the Appeal Landfill, 401 Sweetwater Road, Lusby.
Household Hazardous Waste Day, hosted by the Calvert County Department of Public Works, Division of Solid Waste, gives Calvert County residents the opportunity to safely dispose of hazardous substances free of charge.
Collection is limited to Calvert County residents only and proof of residency, such as a tax or utility bill or driver's license, is required. Waste from commercial businesses is prohibited.
Hazardous waste commonly found in the home includes materials such as oil-based paints, gasoline, gas/oil mix, pool chemicals, solvents, fertilizers, prescription drugs, explosives and other items usually labeled with the words "DANGER," "TOXIC," "POISON" or "WARNING." These items should be separated from regular household trash and disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.
For more information, call the Calvert County Department of Public Works, Division of Solid Waste, at 410-326-0210 or visit the Calvert County website for a full listing of materials accepted. |
|
Savings Surpass $300,000
for Prescription Discount Program
Calvert County's free prescription drug discount program has hit a milestone: More than $300,000 has been saved by residents on their prescription drugs since the program was introduced in July 2009.
More than 17,000 prescriptions have been filled by Calvert County residents, with discounts averaging nearly 30 percent, or $17.66 per prescription.
The program helps consumers cope with the high price of prescription drugs. The county makes the free prescription drug discount cards available under a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo).
The cards may be used by all county residents, regardless of age, income or existing health coverage and are accepted at all of the county's pharmacies. Cardholders and their family members may use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance.
The NACo website for the program includes information on local pharmacies and drug pricing, as well as tools to make the process of obtaining a card easier.
Cards are available at all Calvert County libraries, senior centers, the Health Department and the Calvert County Department of Community Resources, located at 30 Duke Street in Prince Frederick. County residents can call toll free 1-877-321-2652 or visit NACo online for assistance with the program. |
|
