April 16, 2009
Welcome to Carroll County
Recognizing
that first impressions are important in attracting new economic
development opportunities, Carroll County recently launched new
initiatives designed to improve the appearance of major corridors in
the County.
The
Gateway Tax Credit program is being piloted on the MD 140 corridor in
Finksburg. This corridor is arguably one of the most heavily-utilized
roadways in the County, yet many of the properties that abut the
highway are visually unappealing. The Gateway Tax Credit program is
designed to provide a financial incentive to property owners who agree
to participate in improving their properties through facade
enhancements, signage, landscaping and other similar upgrades.
Another important component 
of the program to improve
gateways into Carroll County is the placement of welcome signs. Welcome
signs have been recommended and supported by various community and
business groups throughout the years. The County recently awarded a bid
for the construction of the first welcome signs along entrances to the
County on MD 26 and MD 140. The signs, designed by Kohn Creative and
being built by Woodland Signs (both of Westminster), are being funded
by the County hotel tax which is set aside to be used solely for the
promotion of the County. The signs should be completed by early summer,
just in time to welcome visitors joining us for exciting events such as
the Baltimore Ravens’ Training Camp and The Maryland Wine
Festival®.
For more information on either of these corridor enhancement programs, please contact Paige Sunderland at 410.386.2070 or psunderland@carrollbiz.org.
Industrial Development Authority Elects The Industrial Development Authority (IDA) elected Dr. Robert Scott as the new chairman, following the retirement Dr.
Scott has been a member of the IDA since 1997. Serving on the IDA board
with Dr. Scott is Donald Hull, Treasurer and members Jerry Condon, R.
Wayne Barnes and Lou Ann Dent. Mr. Barnes was recently appointed in
January, 2009.
Dr. Robert Scott
of Dr. Arthur Peck. The IDA
was created in 1980 by the County Commissioners for the purpose of
promoting and fostering economic development, encouraging industrial
expansion, assisting in the retention of existing industry and creating
and sustaining employment.
Current IDA projects include the
development of the Westminster Technology Park (63 acres); North
Carroll Business Park (60 acres); Hampstead Industrial Park (10 acres)
and investment in and State of Maryland loan administration of the
Warfield Corporate Center in Sykesville.
Department Officials Achieve Certification Lawrence
Twele, Director and Denise Beaver, Deputy Director of the Department of
Economic Development recently earned the designation of Certified
Economic Developer (CEcD), a national recognition that denotes a
mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional
attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth. The
CEcD exam was administered by the International Economic Development
Council (IEDC) on March 14 and 15 in Alexandria, VA. The
CEcD designation recognizes qualified and dedicated practitioners in
the economic development field and sets the standard of excellence
within the profession. Candidates must pass a rigorous and
comprehensive three-part, two-day examination, which tests a
practitioner’s knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the key
areas of economic development, including business retention and
expansion, marketing, finance, workforce development, community
development, real estate, strategic planning, and management. There are
currently more than 1,200 CEcDs in the United States. -read more- For more information on the Department of Economic Development programs, please visit the department’s website at www.carrollbiz.org.
