HPL, the flagship campus of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Studies (UMCES) led by Dr. Dan Boesch, is a world-renowned research lab and academic center. Under the direction of Dr. Michael Roman, HPL conducts vital scientific research to discover solutions to help restore the bay’s ecosystem. With almost 150 scientists, faculty, graduate students, administrators and staff, the former DuPont estate is also a major employer and generates a significant economic impact for the county. A 2006 study found that the economic impact of HPL in Dorchester County resulted in direct spending of $15.2 million. During the high season – April through September – dozens of additional people work at HPL in one of the seasonal oyster recovery programs or summer internships.

On average, 10-12 graduate students in marine biology, oceanography, chemistry and physics are based at the campus for up to three years. Students like Minnesota native Nicole Millett, who led a recent tour we attended, live in and around Cambridge and form lasting bonds with the community, often volunteering with organizations such as the YMCA.

More than 500 people attended the summer tours in 2012 and another 750 came to the annual open house. HPL attracts hundreds more visitors each year who attend workshops, participate in research projects, or serve as adjunct faculty.

For information on the weekly tours or to arrange for group visits, call 410-221-8383 or email tours@hpl.umces.edu. Learn more about HPL at www.UMCES.edu.

Maryland’s economic development professionals will turn their attention to the state’s aviation industry at the Maryland Economic Development Association’s (MEDA) summer conference Wednesday, June 12 at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center. “Aviation in Maryland: An Economic Engine, Jobs Generator and Business Development Opportunity,” will examine the economic impact of the state’s three-dozen airports, and feature expert panelist addressing how communities can capitalize on these resources and help meet the industry’s future workforce needs.

“Maryland’s airports are tremendous economic engines for their communities, and they are poised for growth in the future,” said Lawrence Tweele, president/CEO of Howard County Economic Development Authority and MEDA’s President.

Keasha Haythe, MEDA’s Vice President and Dorchester’s economic development director – whose office is located in the Cambridge-Dorchester Airport – sees firsthand every day the impact of the county’s airfield on Bucktown Road. “While many people are familiar with Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), far fewer are aware that Maryland has 36 public use airports,” Haythe said, adding, “Dorchester’s airport, three miles from downtown Cambridge and a mile off of U.S. Route 50, provides an important transportation hub to businesses based or working on the Eastern Shore.”

With 37 aircraft based at the field, the Cambridge-Dorchester Airport averages 79 flight operations (a take off or landing) every day.  Haythe will moderate a panel focusing on the impact and opportunities of general and business aviation. Panel members include Ashish Solanki, director of Maryland’s Office of Regional Aviation Assistance; Jaime Giandomenico, manager of the Ocean City Municipal Airport and president of the Maryland Airport Managers Association; and Robert Schulte, partner at Schulte-Boothe.

Paul Wiedefeld, executive director and CEO of BWI, will open the conference which is open to the public. The conference takes place from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Southern and costs $65 and for MEDA members and $85 for non-members. For information, visit www.medamd.com.

Officially christened this past weekend at Cambridge Main Street’s monthly Second Saturday, the remodeled space features a handcrafted bar created from antique door panels and a custom counter top. The 20’ counter unveiled during Saturday’s Main Street festivities features a mural by renowned artist Michael Rosato.

The Wine Bar top has the appearance of being built of wood, with inlays of ducks and an osprey, when in fact it is created entirely with paint by the enormously skilled and nationally recognized Muralist, Michael Rosato. Michael and his wife Heather moved to Church Creek 12 years ago and own a studio next door to Carol and Joe. Upon seeing the bar top art work, people usually remark “unbelievable”.

Carol believes  ”A Few of My Favorite Things Gourmet and Gifts” enhances Cambridge’s growing reputation as a culinary destination, saying, “After 10 years, I decided to offer all my favorite wines, cheeses, chocolates and gourmet fare in an additional venue of wine by the glass, cheese boards, soup and gourmet foods. Our customers can enjoy these tasty offerings in a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere with friends.”

In addition to the ‘favorite things’ her store is named for, Carol’s shop features imported dinnerware, kitchen gadgets, oyster plates and locally made wines and bath products, spices, sauces and condiments. Located at 414 Race Street, Cambridge, Maryland. For hours and information call 410-221-1960. Follow A Few of My Favorite Things Gourmet and Gifts on Facebook, Yelp, www.CambridgeMainStreet.com and www.TourDorchester.org

A panel comprised of economic and business development representatives reviewed and ranked the four proposals submitted based on the firm’s experience, financial terms and marketing plan. Represented by Easton resident Kevin Greaney, Cassidy will serve as the project’s exclusive broker.

“The Tech Park’s location, infrastructure and HUBZone status offer businesses great advantages to start or expand in the region,” Greaney explained, adding, “We will tap into our national network of 65 offices and almost 5,000 employees to aggressively market the project to targeted prospects.” Greaney believes the planned incubator – Innovations Crossroads – will be a tremendous catalyst and drive immediate interest in the build to suit sites when the County breaks ground this fall.

“Thanks to completion of Phase I, the Tech Park’s “turn-key” status, affordable pricing and central location make it an excellent site for growing businesses,” said Keasha Haythe, adding, “We are confident that Cassidy Turley’s proven track record marketing office, industrial and ready to build commercial spaces will prove a winning combination.”

The county’s contract means that Cassidy Turley is only paid when a lot is sold. The commission based contract awards 5% of the sale price to Cassidy at settlement.

For information on the Tech Park sites or to schedule a tour, contact Kevin at 410-953-6689 or by email at kevin.greaney@cassidyturley.com.

The Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area announced that grant applications are being accepted through July 25 for its Mini-Grant program. Ranging from $500-$5,000, the grants support projects that preserve and promote Dorchester County’s cultural, historic and natural resources.

“We are looking for projects that stimulate economic development through heritage tourism,” said director Amanda Fenstermaker, explaining, “The 2013 awards helped fund the recently held Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Conference and 2013 recipients included activities for the Nanticoke Preservation Alliance, Dorchester County Historical Society, and the East New Market Heritage Committee.”

Launched ten years ago following the Heritage Area certification, the program has awarded almost $100,000 to dozens of activities. Non-profit organizations and municipalities are eligible to apply. Projects require a cash match and capital projects are not eligible.

For information or assistance, contact Ceres Bainbridge at Ceres@TourDorchester.org or 410-228-1000. Application and guidelines are available at www.TourChesapeakeCountry.com.

CAMBRIDGE — After nearly two decades of political maneuvering, inaction and disagreements, thanks to the Dorchester County Council’s recent budget vote and its Economic Development Department Director’s work, the Regional Technology Park is in its final phases. The county’s fiscal year 2014 budget, adopted last week, includes a $2.2 million capital expenditure for the construction of a business incubator building at the technology park on Bucktown Road.

The vote signaled the end of a project, started in 1999, that Dorchester County Council President Jay L. Newcomb described as a, “nightmare.”

“It is almost over,” said Councilman Newcomb.

“The Dorchester County Council’s recent actions concerning the Regional Technology Park represent real and relevant progress to move this project from conception to construction to completion,” said Keasha Haythe, director of the Dorchester County Economic Development Department.

The council’s recent actions — beyond the vote to allocate the construction funds and granting access to already allocated State of Maryland dollars — include choosing a commercial real estate broker to market and sell the lots in the park.

“These actions strengthen Dorchester’s economy by creating the infrastructure, environment and network to help entrepreneurs and small business owners start, expand or move their business here,” said Ms. Haythe. “The council’s actions demonstrate that long-term economic success is the result of public-private partnerships, a long-term vision and commitment to an integrated economic development strategy. Council’s approvals directly impact the county by providing an environment that will increase Dorchester’s tax base and create jobs today – and 21st century jobs tomorrow.”

The plan for the Dorchester County Regional Technology Park has three phases. Phase I, though started 14 years ago, was just completed last year and involved installing the basic and technological infrastructure that the park needed.

Ms. Haythe said the council’s recent votes, “Allows us to complete Phase II of the Technology Park and immediately launch Phase III.”

“Phase II is development of the park’s ‘anchor tenant’ incubator – Innovation Crossroads. By selecting the Willow construction team as the design-build contractor – work will begin immediately and the public should see construction begin this fall. We are on task and on-time for a Spring 2014 ribbon cutting,” said Ms. Haythe.

Willow Construction is an Eastern Shore-based firm and plans to hire local contractors for its tech park project.

The incubator is designed to attract new startup technology companies to Dorchester County. As the name implies, the facility will incubate starting businesses by allowing new ventures to focus on creating their product or service. The large firms that new companies may be competing with already have large office buildings with conference rooms, administrative assistants and access to expensive things many take for granted like office furniture and copy machines. The incubator provides these business necessities so startup companies can flourish and potentially expand in Dorchester County, either in the technology park or another local property.

“Dorchester’s first business incubator will provide county residents and business owners with all the advantages of an Eastern Shore address with Western Shore amenities,” said Ms. Haythe. “In addition to affordable space in a high tech building, incubator tenants will receive professional support services and network to jumpstart their success.”

The Regional Technology Park will be complete when its lots have been sold and businesses start to come to the Heart of Chesapeake Country.

“Cassidy-Turley is a respected real estate broker recognized for their ability to successfully sell and lease commercial spaces to business tenants. The company will work with the economic development office to identify and target prospective tech park businesses for the 15 lots. This is a great deal for the county as the company is paid when the lot is sold,” said Ms. Haythe.

If all goes according to plan, the economic impact for the region will be significant.

“It is estimated that the economic impact of the tech park alone could be-private investment over $37 million and well over 500 jobs,” said Ms. Haythe.

The project started in December of 1999, when Dorchester County was awarded a $1.75 million grant through the “One Maryland” program to develop a technology park adjacent to the Cambridge/Dorchester Regional Airport. The Dorchester County Economic Development Office and the council — in partnership with the City of Cambridge, the State of Maryland and the Federal Government’s Economic Development Administration — have since worked to develop a, full-service, fully-wired and centrally located Technology Park off of US 50. The fruit of those labors will start to grow this year and will blossom next year. The investment the county, state and City of Cambridge have made on Bucktown Road should pay off soon.

Serving lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday, the restaurant has welcomed thousands of patrons eager to enjoy woodfire grilled pizzas, smoked meats, fresh cheeses and fresh, inventive entrees during its inaugural month.Next up for the team helping to put Cambridge on Maryland’s culinary tourism map is Nose 2 Tail, a smokehouse and charcuterie.  Scheduled to open in Fall 2013 at 433 Race Street, it will join Stoked, High Spot, Bistro Poplar, Jimmie & Sooks, Leaky Pete’s Oyster & Wine Bar and Canvasback as another great culinary destination.

For information and reservations visit Stoked on Facebook or call 443-477-6040.

Each year, the Chamber recognizes select individuals and businesses whose contributions to the county’s economy and quality of life are particularly noteworthy. A new category this year honors emergency service workers. Event chair and Chamber board member Jennifer Layton felt it was “important to recognize the individuals – police, fire and rescue workers – who add so much to our quality of life in Dorchester County.”

Tickets are $35 and include refreshments from a dozen local restaurants. A silent and live auction are also planned. For ticket information and event details, contact the Chamber at 410-228-3575 or visit www.DochesterChamber.org.

“Highly visible from Route 50, the commercially zoned property is an ideal retail location for over two million drivers to see your business this summer,” said Sperry Van Ness Properties executive Henry Hanna. Built in 1987, the almost 24,000 sq. ft. clear span building sits on over five acres and offers an incredible value proposition for businesses looking to capitalize on the almost 1,000’ frontage on Route 50 passed by over 35,000 cars daily.

Represented by SVN’s Hanna, the online auction opens May 30 at 11:00 am and pre-auction bids will be accepted starting May 22.  For information, terms and conditions, or to register for the auction, visit www.auctionpoint.com/cambridgerv or contact Hanna at 410-543-2420 (henry.hanna@svn.com).