Views from Charles

The DC Metro region’s largest retail-oriented conference of the year — the Mid-Atlantic Conference & Deal Making event on March 2-3 at the National Harbor — was the place to be for anyone who works with the retail real estate ... Read More...

Like most successful entrepreneurs, Mr. Jeremy Gray started Southern Maryland Martial Arts and Fitness over 15 years ago, in both Bryans Road and La Plata, because of an unmet need he knew he could fill. A lifelong resident of Charles County and ... Read More...

In recognition of President’s Day, we interviewed one of our favorite leaders, the Economic Development Advisory Board’s Chair, Anne M. Hooper. Ms. Hooper is the Realtor/Manager of Hooper & Associates, a real estate business ... Read More...

The Zekiah Swamp Natural Environmental Area is a sprawling expanse of woodland and wetland that’s a local and national treasure. Like its namesake, Zekiah Technologies is a treasure in its own right—an ecosystem where lush ideas take ... Read More...

Science can seem a little academic to young children, but real life exposure to the world of technology and robotics at an early age can show how fun and interesting the field really is. Our Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students benefit from ... Read More...

We welcome this guest blog post from the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center. Charles County is one of Maryland’s fastest-growing counties. It’s highly educated and affluent. Every year, more and more people call it ... Read More...

Dr. Thomas Shelton opened the doors of his La Plata practice in January 2015 with the desire to help the people of his hometown reach a better quality of life through health and wellness. Now celebrating five years in business, loyal patients and ... Read More...

If you are a general contractor or subcontractor, bonding is a topic you should know about—whether you need it to protect your business, what it entails, and how to go about getting it. The Charles County Economic Development Department is ... Read More...

The Economic Development Department (EDD) is searching for local companies who want to explore new business opportunities overseas and join an international trade mission to Africa. In Spring 2020, the EDD leadership team and key stakeholders will ... Read More...

A new restaurant in Bryans Road, High Noon Southern Fine Cuisine & Seafood, opened in September and is already filling a food gap in western Charles County. Patrick McKinnis says, “I live in Indian Head, and when I ... Read More...

During the last decade, demand for office space nationwide has enjoyed steady growth. Businesses want amenity-rich, class-A spaces featuring green technologies and smart design, and Meinhardt Properties’ Charles County offerings fit the bill. ... Read More...

As all of us on the Economic Development Team get ready for Thanksgiving, talk about the dishes we’re planning to make has reminded us of the diversity of our department and how well we really work together as a team. It’s interesting ... Read More...

True to her Southern roots, when Texas native Audra Atkinson welcomes newcomers into her shop, she doesn’t consider them strangers, just friends she hasn’t met yet. Atkinson is the exuberant owner of House Boutique, a La Plata gem ... Read More...

If there’s one thing you don’t expect to find in a gas station, it’s a gift shop. Transforming a convenience store into an enchanting emporium of Maryland-themed gifts is just one of the ways that Martin’s Service Station in ... Read More...

Veteran-owned Balancelogic of Waldorf supplies our small businesses and workers on the front lines with what they need to continue their mission. Many of these entrepreneurs are doing all they can do to keep their small business going, and at some ... Read More...

The surge in our over-65 population is unprecedented in American history. Thus, the need for quality elder care is essential for our Baby Boomers—many of whom still hold jobs and lead active lives—to thrive in the decades to come. Kelsey ... Read More...

Lee Platt is undeniably a woman on a mission. As CEO of Avening Management and Technical Services, she’s at the helm of an IT and cybersecurity company that supports government organizations focused on national security. When she decided to ... Read More...

Charles County is growing and diversifying, and more of our citizens have developed a palate for ethnic foods, often from living or working in the nation’s capital, a hotbed for international food and flavors. Raj Malhotra and wife, Punita, ... Read More...

Partners and CPAs Robert and Cathy Askey In the years since Robert and Cathy Askey established their accounting and advisory firm, Askey, Askey & Associates, they’ve helped shape the business climates of Charles and neighboring St. ... Read More...

While people love the appearance of a shiny new high-rise or crisp hotel linens, few think about the process. Thankfully, the innovators at CHUTES International power that behind-the-scenes process. A master in the mechanics of debris removal and ... Read More...

Scary Strokes, Doug and LaNeta Roth’s monster-themed family entertainment center, has been in Waldorf for only a couple of years, but it’s already recognized as a beloved haunt—in the best way possible. The 11,000-square-foot ... Read More...

They say you can’t pick your family, but Charles County is looking for a sister—a Sister City, that is. The search was initiated partly in response to feedback at the Economic Development Department’s International Trade Seminar in ... Read More...

For those who work in economic development, pointing out a community’s assets is part of the job.  But sometimes, it’s what its citizens say that makes a difference.  This is a true story told by a local businessman who’s now in Southern Maryland but moved here from another state. 

Read More...

Millennials are a vital part of our workforce and future homeowners in Charles County. There is a good chance they’ll start up small businesses, and they’re one of the key demographics to look at when planning for retail development. ... Read More...

Waldorf is home to Charles County’s active hotel market, which includes nine national “flag” properties located along Route 301, one of the busiest U.S. highways along the Atlantic seaboard. Our hotel industry holds a distinct ... Read More...

The building at the intersection of Route 301 and St. Patrick’s Drive in Waldorf is often overlooked by passersby. A wall of trees along southbound 301 limits the view of the structure from the tens of thousands of cars that go by every day, ... Read More...

Maryland is a lot crabbier this year—and that’s a good thing. According to the Department of Natural Resources, the state’s blue crab population soared by 60% this year. Whether you’re a connoisseur of Maryland’s ... Read More...

Honey is sweet and shelf-stable, but its capabilities extend far beyond taste and time. This humble pantry staple harks back to 2,400 B.C., during the early days of beekeeping in Cairo, when Ancient Egyptians used honey as a sweetener and medicine for a variety of ailments. Local honey made with the pollens of Southern Maryland plants provides the same benefits to Charles County residents today.

Read More...

Automated Graphic Systems (AGS) of White Plains is the largest printer in Charles County, but they’re not your traditional commercial print company. Data is their specialty, and using that combined with cutting-edge technology, they ... Read More...

Gourmet cookies with Belgian chocolate, soft biscotti, mixed berry crumb tarts, roasted granola—these are only a sampling of the sweet treats sold by Chef Cynthia Ann and her mother, Marilyn, at the La Plata Farmers Market. Cynthia has spent ... Read More...