North or South, Calvert's Business Communities are Organized for Success

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- April 17, 2006 - In Calvert County, the Twin Beaches and Solomons have more in common than beautiful waterfront vistas. In both areas, business owners and community leaders have been gathering for years to share information, mobilize efforts and develop strategies to partner and share their unique business talents for the benefit of all area businesses, members of the community and visiting tourists.

Solomons Business Association (SBA), founded in 1987, promotes economic development in the Solomons Island area “by working with other merchants, civic and fraternal organizations, county, state and federal government to obtain ideas and funding which will develop and support business growth while maintaining ecological and environmental stability.” The group is instrumental in organizing and promoting four annual events that serve to draw thousands of tourists to the small waterfront village. A Taste of Solomons in February brings foodies out to explore the ever-changing tastes of Solomons’ many fine restaurants; June’s Tour de Solomons offers bicyclists a chance to enjoy the beauty of Solomons and Calvert County on 2-wheeled adventures of 100K, 65K and 17K and kayakers or walkers to enjoy the sights of the Island; the July 4th Fireworks are enjoyed by thousands all around Bay country; and the Solomons Christmas Walk each December celebrates the spirit of the holidays with candlelit streets, holiday decorations and activities.

Of course, these events – and the numerous others that occur in and around Solomons throughout the year – do not happen without a great deal of planning and organization. And that’s where the SBA comes in. Wesse Ranes, president of SBA and a principal in the accounting firm of Davis, Josey, Keating and Ranes, said, “I am always amazed at what we accomplish here cooperatively and with the goals of promoting Solomons as a tourist destination and supporting each other as business owners. It was certainly evident during our recent Island fire when we were able to band together in support of those businesses that were destroyed.”

In Chesapeake Beach and North Beach – also known as the Twin Beaches – the same spirit of cooperation is evident in their monthly business meetings. “The Beaches are a dynamic area of Calvert County in the middle of a radical transformation,” said local attorney Lynda Striegel, who also serves as president of the Beach Business Group (BBG). “By working together with business owners, community leaders and government entities in Calvert County, we are helping to change the face of these towns from sleepy, 1950s kitsch to family-friendly, vibrant and fun. We want people to view North Beach and Chesapeake Beach as areas to visit, to stroll the streets and boardwalks, eat delicious seafood and shop in unique galleries and gift shops,” she said.

Both associations have an almost laser-like focus on the businesses in their areas and constantly seek ways to promote each other’s businesses, highlight the distinct attractions that make them unique and learn from each other. “We have an understanding at BBG that if a few of us succeed, we all succeed,” says Striegel. Ranes agrees. “If a family of pleasure boaters docks overnight in Solomons, that family will want to eat dinner and breakfast in the area, they’ll want recommendations on interesting places to shop for souvenirs and museums and sites they can visit in the area,” he said. “Of course, if their experience is pleasant, they’ll recommend the area to others and might even come back over and over again – and that truly does benefit us all,” he said.

Most monthly meetings of these associations are spent talking about and planning for upcoming events, sharing information and news, networking and updating each other on their individual business successes, specials or cooperative advertising opportunities. “There are certainly other business organizations that do the same thing we do and many of us belong to more than one organization,” said Striegel. “But our work is specifically geared toward the promotion of our unique community. We are a microcosm of Calvert County.”

Both organizations continue to add members and welcome business owners who are interested in sharing ideas and information for the betterment of their individual communities. Opportunities exist at both organizations for volunteer work and leadership roles, however, those who simply wish to attend meetings, share information and hear what’s happening locally are welcomed, too.

The SBA meets monthly on the first Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. at the Naughty Gull Restaurant. For more information on the Solomons Business Association, visit online at www.sba.solomons.md.us. The Beach Business Group also meets monthly, on the third Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.; locations vary. For more information on the Beach Business Group, visit online at www.beachbusinessgroup.org.

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