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Funding Approved for
Prince Frederick Town Center Redevelopment Project
The county Department of Community Planning and Building has been working on a redevelopment concept for Prince Frederick's Armory Square (the former Calvert Middle School site and former Armory Building), as well as adjoining properties. On Oct. 7 we approved funding for the next step of the process.
The $47,500 budget adjustment will support three initiatives for town center redevelopment:
- Advertising to recruit developers on national level;
- A consultant to conduct developer outreach and review submittals, and;
- An economic impact study to ensure project viability
The goal is for the county to work with a master developer in transforming the site into a mixed-use project including opportunities for public, commercial, retail and residential uses. This vision grew out of the Prince Frederick Town Center "charrette" process conducted for six days in June 2013 to elicit citizen input on developing the former Calvert Middle School site and surrounding areas.
The Prince Frederick Town Center website has complete information, including the charrette report. Tom Barnett, director of the Department of Community Planning and Building, also hosts a video overview of the project and other department initiatives.
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Cove Point Project
Earns Federal Approval
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced Sept. 29 its approval of the proposed Cove Point liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project slated for Dominion's Lusby LNG terminal. The order clears the way for an expansion allowing the facility to receive a portion of surplus U.S. natural gas supplies and liquefy it for export to overseas customers.
 The liquefaction project promises to be one of Maryland's largest economic development projects, bringing thousands of temporary construction jobs during the peak of construction activity and, once in operation, more than 70 permanent new jobs. We also recognize the important role that FERC and many other federal, state and local agencies will play in ensuring this facility is built to the strictest industry standards. We will continue to work with Dominion to ensure that safety remains paramount in our community.
The Cove Point facility has been a partner and asset in Calvert County for more than 30 years and has exercised outstanding environmental stewardship and a commitment to the community. We welcome the liquefaction project as a strong complement to the county's economic development efforts.
New Bypass Road to Enhance Safety
Dominion announced Oct. 7 that it will fund the construction of a new bypass route to enable residents living east of the terminal to have another egress point from Cove Point Road in the unlikely event of an emergency. The new route will link Cove Point Road east of the facility entrance to Dasher Drive and provide access to Little Cove Point Road. The road will be open to traffic only when necessary and will be operational before the export project is completed.
While FERC noted in its approval order that no additional traffic route is needed for public safety, Dominion is undertaking the road project to provide a higher level of confidence for Cove Point residents that they will have another option should they need to leave for any reason.
For more information on the project, visit the county's overview page which includes links to documents and answers to frequently asked questions.
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Applications Now Accepted for
the Calvert County Purchase and Retirement Fund Program
The application period is now open for the county's Purchase and Retirement Fund program. Through the program, Transferable Development Rights are purchased, retired and permanently removed from the market to protect farmland from development.
 Applications are accepted from the owners of Agricultural Preservation Districts and ranked by an established formula. The purchase price approved by the BOCC is $3,750 per Transferable Development Right.
The application deadline is Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, at 4:30 p.m. Applications are available online. Completed applications should be sent to Community Planning and Building, Attention-Veronica Cristo, 150 Main St., Prince Frederick, MD 20639 or emailed.
The Fiscal Year 2015 county budget includes $1.25 million for the Purchase and Retirement Fund. More than $500,000 of the total comes from the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, with $200,000 from agricultural transfer taxes dedicated to land preservation. Remaining funds come from the prior year land preservation fund balance; none are taken from the county's General Fund.
The Purchase and Retirement Fund program is part of Calvert County's longstanding effort to preserve agricultural land. The county has preserved more than 28,000 acres of productive farms and forests over the past 30 years.
To learn more, contact Rural Planner Veronica Cristo at 410-535-1600, ext. 2489, or via email.
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| Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
 The Calvert County Department of Public Works, Division of Solid Waste, will host a household hazardous waste collection day Saturday, Nov. 15, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Appeal Landfill at 401 Sweetwater Road in Lusby.
Collection is limited to Calvert County residents only and proof of residency is required. Waste from commercial businesses is prohibited.
For more information, call 410-326-0210 or visit the Calvert County website for a full listing of materials accepted. |
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Information Sought for 2015 Visitors Guide
The Calvert County Department of Economic Development is compiling information for the 2015 Calvert County Visitors Guide. Museums, dining and shopping destinations, hotels, inns, recreational boating organizations and other tourism-related facilities with locations in Calvert County are welcomed to submit information for possible inclusion in the 2015 guide, free of charge.
Sites included in last year's Visitors Guide are requested to contact the department only if there are changes. New sites and those that wish to note changes should call Katie Brittain at the Department of Economic Development at 410-535-4583 no later than Nov. 1, 2014.
The 2014 Visitors Guide can be found online. For information on the Calvert County Department of Economic Development, call 410-535-4583 or 301-855-1880; email; or visit online.
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Calvert County Farm Festival is Oct. 18-19
Get to know Calvert County's rural community by spending the day on three working farms during the 17th annual Calvert County Farm Festival Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18 and 19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event, held rain or shine, promises to be a great family outing with special activities and educational opportunities at three local farms:
Horsmon Farm
1865 Horsmon Farm Lane
St. Leonard
443-532-5761
This successfully diversified tobacco farm raises mums, pumpkins and other fall products. Featured are farm beef and pork, sorghum mazes, a corn kernel sand box, pony rides, a petting farm, hay rides, kids' activities, food vendors and even a mini-pumpkin sling shot.
Perigeaux Vineyards and Winery
8650 Mackall Road
St. Leonard
410-586-2710
Perigeaux has four vineyards on a former tobacco farm. Farm Festival activities include wine tastings/food pairings, live music, pentanque (lawn bowling) tournaments, arts and crafts, vineyard and winery tours and food vendors.
Spider Hall Farm
3915 Hallowing Point Road
Prince Frederick
410-610-0094
This 362-acre farm produces tobacco, corn and grain and focuses on agricultural education. Come enjoy a corn maze, hay rides, a pumpkin patch, local food, vendors and crafters, kids' activities, a petting farm and more. A canned food drive will benefit End Hunger in Calvert County.
To learn more visit online, call 410-535-4583 or 301-855-1880, or email.
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Congratulations to New and Expanded Businesses
The Board of County Commissioners welcomes and congratulates the following new, relocated and expanded businesses. Visit them and help support your local economy.
New Businesses
Maryland Pipe Dreams, LLC
3 Oxford Way
Huntingtown, MD 20639
443-486-7967
Sports Clips of Dunkirk
10306 Southern Maryland Blvd.
Dunkirk, MD 20754
443-964-5708
Weinstein Eye Associates
10700 Town Center Blvd.
Dunkirk, MD 20754
443-550-1800
Expansions & Relocations
Pivot Physical Therapy
220 North Solomons Island Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
410-885-4710
State Farm Insurance
205 Steeple Chase Drive, Suite 305
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
410-535-0434
For a full listing of all Calvert County businesses, please visit online.
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