During the last stop of Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED)’s Secretary Mike Gill’s “Listening Tour” of Southern Maryland, the Secretary met with the Charles County officials, staff and community members to discuss the county’s economic strategies and how the state can support the county’s goals. As reported on Southern Maryland Newspapers Online:
Marcia Keeth, acting director of the county’s Department of Economic Development, provided a presentation for Gill of the county’s assets and economic strategy. She said that Charles is “close to the capital, far from ordinary,” a catchphrase that the department is using in its new campaign and website.
“Charles County is a growing business hub that is well positioned for investment, growth and development,” Keeth said. “Strategically located in the Washington, D.C., metro area, the county is a prime location for businesses that are looking to locate or relocate.” Charles County offers companies a large pool of talented workers, affordable, flexible and attractive real estate options, strategic access via a multi-modal transportation network and educational options.
Keeth said Charles County is 25 miles from the District and between the state capitals of Maryland and Virginia. She added that U.S. 301 through the county “is actually often used as an alternative to I-95.” The county is close to several military bases — Naval Support Facility Indian Head, Naval Support Facility Dahlgren in Virginia, Patuxent River Naval Air Station in St. Mary’s County and Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County.
“We’re one of the fastest-growing jurisdictions in Maryland, and we have been for about 20 years,” said Keeth. The cost of living in Charles is approximately 15 percent lower than other jurisdictions in the metro region, and in 2012, CNN and Money magazine listed Waldorf as one of the best places to live in the U.S.
The county’s well-educated workforce is also one of its challenges, Keeth said, because so many residents commute to work outside of the county.
For more information read the full article on Southern Maryland Newspapers Online.
