The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted this month to keep the Solomons Visitor Center open for at least another year. The decision came after the BOCC saw an uptick in the number of visitors coming through the center and a deep reduction in the cost of running it thanks to a shift in management. 

In June, the BOCC approved maintaining operations of the visitor center under the management of the Calvert County Department of Economic Development (DED). That decision changed an earlier vote to permanently close the facility due to declining visitor numbers and budget restraints. For the last five months, the BOCC reviewed operations and surveyed county and regional tourism partners. Not only did visitor numbers rise, DED significantly reduced operating costs, from $100,000 to $13,846 annually, by adjusting staff and hours. The DED staff is also looking into generating revenue through the sale of merchandise at the center to help offset costs. 

The Solomons Visitor Center will be open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 20. The center will be closed Thanksgiving Day. From Dec. 1, 2015, through April 30, 2016, the center will operate under seasonal hours, opening Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.