Calvert County Announces Development Project

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- November 14, 2000 -- The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a Resolution today that outlined the County’s participation in a proposed research and development technology park in southern Calvert County. The Department of Economic Development has been working with the property owners, and their agents, the Calvert County Economic Development Authority (EDA), the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), and the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) to create a technology park geared at high-technology industries in Lusby, Maryland. County and State officials are working to finalize the project.

As one of their primary objectives, the BOCC felt that the County should focus their efforts on creating new employment opportunities specifically geared at residents commuting out of Calvert County, and to capitalize on other high-tech business expansion opportunities currently underway in the Southern Maryland Region. Early in their term, the BOCC began to investigate opportunities for a large-scale economic development project. The BOCC unanimously agreed that development of a research and technology park in southern Calvert County would be one of their primary economic development goals. Their vision for this project is to incorporate unique architectural and design trends that would place Calvert County at the forefront of rural economic development, creating a state-of-the-art research and technology park.

Economic Development officials anticipate that the 92-acre site will yield a significant amount of Class-A office/flex office space with ancillary retail. Occupants are expected to be predominately defense and technology-related services and spin-off companies supporting PAX River. The estimated economic impact is $52 million dollars. The property is located in one of the County’s prime growth areas, is zoned Light Industrial and is adjacent to the Lusby Town Center. The County’s investment is $805,000 ($755,000 to extend public sewer to the site and $55,000 for engineering site studies).

"The property is ideal for development of a research and technology core due to its proximity to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia," said Linda Kelley, president, BOCC. "Further, the property is served by an outstanding road system and all required infrastructure, including fiber optics, is located within a reasonable distance."

Development of this project will require a development agreement. In 1997, the BOCC passed Ordinance 10-97, which allows development agreements in I-1 properties; the development agreement will provide flexibility by expanding the use of the property to include Employment Center/Town Center uses. The developer will negotiate the terms of that agreement with the BOCC next spring. However, it is anticipated that the developer would be expected to develop mutually acceptable design standards; to limit retail uses to those permitted in EC/TC zoning; to reserve an appropriate site for location of a County water storage tower on the property; and to commence development of interior infrastructure improvements by December 2007. The agreement would also allow hotels, conference centers and other facilities that permit extended stays.

Development of this project will enable the County to continue to market its four primary target industries: computer programming, software development and related services; administrative service centers; defense related services; and non-defense related services, allowing Calvert County to immediately take advantage of expanding operations at PAX River and other expanding business opportunities in the Greater Washington Region.

While many of the details are still being negotiated, Calvert citizens can expect to see construction begin on a high-quality, technology park directly supporting the Patuxent River Naval Air Station before the end of the Board’s term in 2002.

For information please contact the Calvert County Department of Economic Development, 410.535.4583 or 301.855.1880, e-mail cced@co.cal.md.us.

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