Direct Mail Management, Inc. Leases 48,000 Sq/Ft Facility in Calvert County, Maryland

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- September 30, 1997 -- The Calvert County Economic Development Authority (EDA) announced today that Direct Mail Management, Inc. (DMM), a member of the DM Group, leased a 48,000 square foot distribution/warehouse facility at the Calvert County Industrial Park from the EDA earlier this month. The building is owned by the EDA. The lease, which includes a purchase option, has an approximate value of two million dollars.

As part of their lease agreement with DMM, the EDA granted a 15-year, $100,000 interest-free improvement loan that will be used for building upgrades. The EDA based its decision to grant the loan on the company's solid financial background, their continued investment in the community and future growth potential.

The company currently employs 150 full-time and 25 part-time employees at the Calvert County Industrial Park and anticipates employment levels to reach 250 in the future. DMM currently occupies approximately 135,000 total square feet in the Calvert County Industrial Park.

"Adding the 48,000 square feet will allow us to operate more efficiently at our headquarters in the Industrial Park," said Robert Salta, DMM's Chief Executive Officer. "We have outgrown our two other buildings in the Park. We have not been able to expand because of space limitations. The additional space will allow us to significantly expand operations, build a national sales force and act on our projected growth plan."

"The EDA is extremely pleased that Direct Mail has chosen to retain its headquarters in Calvert County," said Harry Zinn, Chairman, EDA. "They have been a solid and consistent business entity in the County for 16 years. That background is what gave Direct Mail the leverage to win the $100,000 interest-free improvements loan during lease negotiations. Typically, the EDA would be apprehensive about lending $100,000 interest-free. However, DMM's solid background and community investment made the decision to grant that loan much easier."

"Direct Mail is one of the largest, if not the largest, provider of Direct Mail Services in the Greater Washington Region. They are a strong, established business and having them in Calvert County sends a clear message to the Greater Washington business community that Calvert is a viable business location," said Jeff Stone, Director of Economic Development. "Direct Mail could have moved their national headquarters to another location, but didn't. Instead, they negotiated an agreement that allows them to expand their operations and take advantage of some tremendous Enterprise Zone advantages in the Industrial Park."

The Michael Companies of Lanham, Md. were the broker of record for the Direct Mail lease and have negotiated other sales in the Calvert County Industrial Park over the past year.

The Calvert County Industrial Park is located in a Maryland Enterprise Zone. It is one of thirteen Enterprise Zones in the State which offer property tax credits, access to State loan guarantees and special provisions for industrial loans and is the only Enterprise Zone in southern Maryland.

For more information please contact the Calvert County Department of Economic Development, 410-535-4583 or 301-855-1880, e-mail cced@co.cal.md.us. Please also visit Direct Mail at http://www.dmgroup.com.

For more information on the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, our visitor sites and attractions and the services available to assist County businesses, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; or send an e-mail to info@ecalvert.com