“Collaboration” is more than a theme for the Charles County Economic Development Department (CCEDD) in 2024; it is a guiding principle. Supported by the Charles County Government’s goal to strengthen economic development efforts, the CCEDD is pleased to share exciting news, meaningful partnerships, and opportunities for growth in the year ahead.
Community Updates
Charles County is welcoming new businesses and opportunities this year as a result of ongoing collaborative efforts with CCEDD partners and team members.
Oasis Fresh Foods Market, set to open in 2024 , brings a much-desired end to the 20-year food desert in Indian Head. The market will offer fresh produce and meat, an ice cream shop, and access to an adjacent community garden.
Groundbreaking on the Berry Pointe Business Park in Waldorf is expected in April 2024. Developed by St. John’s Properties, the commercial, flex, and/or research and development spaces are expected to sustain 2,100 new jobs.
Charles County businesses and residents can also expect to leverage valuable opportunities provided through the Naval Service Warfare Center, Indian Head Division’s SMART Arsenal Initiative. The Initiative increases career opportunities, improves infrastructure, and expands partnerships with government, industry, and local schools. These improvements include adding a 5G network across the Cornwallis Peninsula and partnering with knowledgeable industry leaders on career-development options, such as apprenticeships and pre-college programs, to support the STEM career pathway.
Resources to Drive Business Growth in 2024
Using continued programs and research-based data, CCEDD is spearheading initiatives to reinforce collaboration between the county and businesses while offering added support and more resources for success.
In 2023, the Business Growth Advantage Program (BGAP) welcomed 52 new graduates (82% of which are minority-owned local businesses) and provided $340,070 in grant funding. This free and invaluable resource will continue in 2024, and applications are currently being accepted for Cohort 10 (March 7 to April 25) and 11 (May 23 to July 11).
Introduced as a result of the 2021 Disparity Study, an updated procurement process is in development for the Charles County Government. The new process promotes a more equitable division of opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses. Charles County expects to implement the process by late 2024 and will hire a Compliance Manager to ensure conformance.
CCEDD’s revamped free, virtual Quarterly Business Roundtable events will continue in 2024 to offer business owners a forum to collaborate and stay up-to-date on economic development activities. Each roundtable session in 2024 will spotlight one of Charles County’s “Circle of Services” partners. Register now for the January 25 roundtable and mark your calendars for the April 25 and July 18 sessions.
CCEDD will also unveil “With Love from Charles” in 2024. This county-wide gift card program will encourage patronage of local businesses and keep capital flowing within the local economy to facilitate business expansion and job creation.
The newly created Charles County Asset Inventory is an extensive, living document that identifies all major resources within the county — from key employers and business sectors to all major infrastructures, points of interest, and educational institutions. The inventory is a fundamental tool for residents and business owners to identify key systems that sustain and contribute to Charles County’s economic success.
Kelly Robertson-Slagle, Director of the Charles County Economic Development Department, emphasizes, “This is not a tool for only us as economic developers to use, but for business owners and residents to truly understand our county assets. CCEDD encourages stakeholders to harness this data to inform future decisions and share the resource with other businesses/residents. We envision this as a tool that will live long past 2024 and keep us informed of new assets as they are actualized.”
The Charles County Economic Development Department plans to evolve and add staff in the coming year to facilitate these initiatives and deepen engagement with business owners.
In late 2023, CCEDD welcomed a new Research and Special Projects Manager, Jack Street, who will serve as the primary source for statistics on Charles County's economy, workforce, and demographics. In his role, Jack supports the CCEDD’s active pursuit of numbers-driven economic goals and objectives. CCEDD also expects to welcome a new Agriculture Business Development Manager to support agricultural business in Charles County.
A vital contact that business owners can anticipate, in addition to the existing full-time Small Business Development Center (SBDC) consultant, is the addition of a new part-time Charles County SBDC consultant. Funded through the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds already dedicated to economic development, this position will offer free, individualized support to current or potential small business owners through consultations and free or low-cost training programs.
“Charles County has welcomed so many new, unique, and locally-owned businesses in the last year, and we’ll continue to grow in this direction,” Robertson-Slagle adds. “As a result, we’re investing in the SBDC consultant and BGAP grant programs to support business owners and encourage that strong local flavor and feel to our community.”
“Overall, I think we have a thriving economy,” Michelle Frye, Deputy Director of the Charles County Economic Development Department, affirms. “We’re confident that our collaborative efforts to strategically grow will create a stronger economic ecosystem for all.”
Let’s Hear From You!
Have you seen something in another community that you think would work well in Charles County? We want to know about it! Email the CCEDD office at info@meetcharlescounty.com.
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