Charles County regularly has multiple development projects in the works, but according to Chief of Commercial Development Mark Thompson, these five projects will have an important fiscal and economic impact on Charles County for years to come. He gave an update at our January Quarterly Business Roundtable.
The Western Charles County Technology Corridor
About the project:
The Western Charles County Technology Corridor spans Indian Head Highway from Bryans Road to Indian Head and includes the Maryland Airport. It includes over 130 businesses operating in the technology, research and development, energetics sectors, and more, and serves as a thriving hub of innovation. The Corridor is home to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head (NSWC-IHD), the Navy’s only arsenal and leader in energetics.
What’s New:
Amazing growth is taking place in this part of the county due to the NSWC-IHD’s $2.7 billion,10-year modernization plan and expansion. Both national and international companies are looking to locate in Indian Head. As one of the County’s major employers, they are set to bring in more high-paying jobs, opportunities for local businesses, additional commercial tax revenue, and workforce training opportunities like Charles County has never seen before. The Town of Indian Head is being revitalized as well. Locals are encouraged to shop at the new Oasis Fresh Foods Market, Indian Head’s first grocery store in years. Another development project that just finished is Carpenters Garage, a redevelopment of an old auto dealership by the Energetics Technology Center. The abandoned building was converted into office space and is now fully occupied by ERG, an NSWC IHD contractor.
Berry Pointe
About the project:
St. John Properties is one of the most prominent developers in Maryland and nationally is developing Berry Pointe, a flex/office project that is located on Berry Road, one mile west of Route 301. The project will include 61,800 square feet of office space, 551,520 square feet of flexible R&D space, and 37,850 square feet of supporting retail. Once completed, the project is expected to support over 2,100 jobs at full build-out and will be the largest office development in Charles County’s history. The project's initial phase will include two flex buildings, a gas station, and other retail uses.
What’s New:
Commissioner President Reuben Collins celebrated the groundbreaking of Berry Pointe in September 2024, and construction of the first phase has proceeded quickly. St. John Properties has signed their first lease, which will be announced shortly. This project will bring to the county much needed office and employment space.
Waldorf Station
About the project:
Waldorf Station is a mixed-use project at the intersection of US 301 and MD 5, and serves as the northern gateway to Charles County. Greenberg Gibbons, one of Maryland’s top retail developers is building the project, which consists of two sites on both sides of US 301 and totals 150 acres. It will include approximately 260,000 sf of retail uses, a Class A office building, a hotel, apartments, and townhouses.
What’s New:
The residential portion of Waldorf Station has kicked off with a 300-unit apartment building that will begin leasing this spring. Additionally, Stanley Martin Homes will be building 213 for-sale townhomes. On the retail portion of the site, a number of leases have been signed, and construction is expected to start in late spring.
Charles County Sports and Wellness Center
About the project:
In July 2024, Charles County Government purchased the former Sears building at the St. Charles Towne Center. The building will be converted into a sports and wellness complex serving not only Charles County, but the region. The planned Center will be anchored by a natatorium, which is a competitive- level, 50-meter pool to host swimming events, but also community-based aquatic offerings. The redevelopment of the property, which totals 8 acres, will anchor additional activity at the regional mall.
What’s New:
The County recently hosted a community meeting to solicit citizen input and over 200 residents attended. There is also an on-line community survey to gather more community input. Additional community meetings will be held, and information on the project can be found here.
Morgantown Generating Station
About the project:
In June 2022, GenOn Holdings Inc. ceased operations at the coal-fired Morgantown Generating Station. The 334-acre property is zoned for heavy industry and is located at the base of the Nice Bridge on US 301 in southern Charles County. It is a unique opportunity given its size and intermodal (water, rail, highway) access.
What’s New:
Cushman and Wakefield is currently marketing the project on a nationwide basis. It has generated a good deal of interest from a variety of prospects for heavy industrial or alternative energy uses. For more information on this project, contact Mark Thompson.
For more information on the county’s major projects, visit our New and Major Projects page.
