Taylor Yewell, Chief of Commercial Development, has been an important and trusted colleague in the Charles County Economic Development Department (EDD) since March 2016. As our team’s go-to person for all things related to commercial development, Taylor has been at the forefront of advocating and streamlining development efforts across the county. On September 20, he’ll retire, and we’ll be sad to see him go, but we wish him the best in retirement. We sat down with him this week to discuss his economic development career and favorite projects in Charles County.
The Beginnings of an Economic Development Career
“My first career job was with Washington Gas,” says Taylor. “I started out in sales, and my assigned area was a part of Prince George’s County and Washington DC. I did that for several years and then became a manager of economic development. That really got me introduced to economic development. What really interested me was witnessing rehabs of buildings in DC and adaptive reuse and downtown revitalizations of that nature. I thought they were fascinating.”
He went to conferences where speakers talked about revitalization and economic development, and he went to graduate school in 2000 to get a degree in real estate development. He left Washington Gas and went into economic development consulting with a firm in Annapolis until 2016.
Consulting involved a lot of travel through towns and counties across the U.S. and a little bit in Canada. Taylor says, “It was very rewarding, but you often don’t get to stick around long enough to see the fruits of your labor.” When he saw an opportunity to do similar work in Charles County, he seized the chance. Though he lived in Anne Arundel County, he knew Charles County fairly well from working at the gas company and growing up on the south side of Prince George’s County.
Favorite Development Projects
During his work with the EDD, there are a few projects that Taylor is especially proud of. The first is the EDD’s involvement with bringing the CSM Velocity Center to Indian Head. “We were involved with that when the idea was conceived,” he says. “One of the scientists at the naval base wished aloud about having an off-base meeting facility where they wouldn’t have to go through all the red tape to get somebody on base because of heightened security.” An idea was born, and several partners came together to make it a reality.
After that project came the Maryland Technology Center across the street. That building was built when the United States Bomb Technician Association (USBTA) contacted him wanting a presence close to the NSWC Indian Head. “Since relocating to Indian Head, that organization has expanded,” says Taylor, “and the EDD still works with them. This was a really fun project.”
“I’ve also been working on the Maryland Airport since 2017, and it looks like something positive is going to happen,” says Taylor. “It’s an interesting rezoning project. The county owns 50 acres within the proposed Aviation Business Park zone. There’s a lot of interest there. The rezoning should go through, but it won’t while I’m here. I consider it an accomplishment—it’s one of those I decided to stick with for a long time.”.
An Important Upcoming Project
Taylor says there is a lot of demand for businesses wanting to come to Charles County. He says, “I think one of the most important projects that will be in the near future is at Berry Pointe. It’s going to be an opportunity for businesses wanting to come in and be close to the NSWC Indian Head to set up shop. Charles County, in general, lacks commercial space, and Berry Pointe will provide that flex space.”
That space is located on the north side of MD 228, midway between Waldorf and MD 210. Some refer to it as the old turf farm. “Our involvement is just to point businesses to it,” says Taylor. “Every opportunity we get, we push that project. They’s already broken ground. We tell businesses to contact St. John’s Properties for information.”
When it comes to commercial development, everything is a team project. Taylor explains that the EDD’s role is larger in some projects than others.
The Morgantown property is another project to keep your eyes on. Taylor adds that most investors are now looking at it for a logistics hub or a data center. He thinks it would be great for a data center. “My successor will have a great time with that project,” he says.
Looking to Retirement
Taylor’s last day with the EDD is September 20. What’s next? “We have a farm to sell,” he says. Once they find a downsized place to live, he plans to do some economic development and real estate consulting. They’ll stay close by in Anne Arundel County, close to family and a granddaughter. He’ll also have time for more fishing, boating, travel, and leisure activities.
Taylor, all of us in the EDD congratulate you on an amazing career! It’s been an honor to work with you, and we wish you the best in the years to come!
