Washington County Economic Development Newsletter

August 2019 Issue

Letter from the Director

Greetings! Temperatures are dropping, Fall is on its way! The Department of Business Development (DBD) wrapped up August with the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) 2019 Summer Conference in Ocean City, Maryland. Washington County was well represented, and the MACo Taste of Maryland was a success once again! The DBD highlighted Smithsburg, Maryland food manufacturer, Hadley Farms sweet rolls and flaky croissants. We topped off Hadley’s pastries with local jams, honey and apple butter. Rounding out the ‘Taste’ samples was a selection of wines from Big Cork Vineyards , Red Heifer Winery and Blue Mountain Wine Crafters . Thank you to everyone who supported our booth, enjoyed our local treats, and networked on our behalf!

Announcements of new development happening around Washington County have been plentiful, and the DBD is incredibly pleased with the prospect of job creation and investment into the community. This October, the DBD will be highlighting properties around the County, with “Project Wormburner” - a site familiarization tour. The DBD team is excited to host in partnership with CHIEF (Hagerstown/Washington County Industrial Foundation, Inc.) and Bowman Development . Learn more about “Project Wormburner” here . Washington County’s future is looking bright; jump on board to help us tell our story and showcase our wonderful community!

Sincerely,

Susan Small

Director, Washington County Department of Business Development

Williamsport, MD cuts the ribbon on their new fully functional C&O Canal Aqueduct and breaks ground for their new C&O Canal National Parks Service Headquarters building

Governor Larry Hogan was in Williamsport, MD to officially open the only fully functioning C&O Canal aqueduct. For the first time since 1942 boats can travel over the Conococheague Creek via a fully restored and watered aqueduct. Several hundred citizens turned out to show support for the new aqueduct as well as a ground breaking ceremony for the new National Parks Service Headquarters. Local and State officials cut the ribbon which stretched across the Conococheague Creek while riding in Canal Boats. The National Parks Service estimates hosting over 1 million visitors to the C&O Canal annually. “Williamsport will be the only place in North America where visitors can experience every aspect of a working canal,” Hogan said. This investment of $10.2 million into Williamsport’s Cushwa Basin signals the start of an over $14 million project to build the new National Parks Service Headquarters and visitor’s center facility. With the addition of the parks headquarters facility and a C&O Canal visitor’s center, Williamsport can expect booming tourism in the near future as the site will offer an all-in-one attraction.

Business Spotlight

NorthPoint Development announces investment and jobs coming to Hagerstown, Washington County

Missouri-based firm, NorthPoint Development , plans to construct an expansive logistics and business park on nearly 190 acres along Wesel Boulevard in Hagerstown, Washington County, MD. The project includes more than 2.2 million square feet of space and could create more than 1,480 jobs in the community for area residents. The project includes the construction of two large and two smaller buildings. NorthPoint does not have clients under contract at this time but anticipates clients will be companies they currently provide space for in other business parks owned by them. Those companies include Adidas, Amazon, BNSF Railway, Ford, General Motors, Home Depot, Patagonia, and Staples. Construction of one large and one small building is expected to be completed by fall 2020, with completion of the others dependent upon leased space proceeds. Hagerstown Mayor Robert Bruchey said in a news release “NorthPoint Development’s project will bring significant new jobs and investment to our community. We look forward to the transformation of this vacant land into a vibrant commercial center.” “A project of this magnitude requires a team effort and collaborative work across all levels of government,” said Jill Thompson, the City’s Director of Community & Economic Development. “We have a strong team in place working to support the realization of NorthPoint Development’s vision for this project.”

According to NorthPoint Development’s website , the company has developed and manages more than 67 million+ square feet of industrial properties, 3,500+ units of multi-family apartment, raised more than $5.5B in capital since 2011, and has acquired more than 3,714 acres of undeveloped industrial land for future development (68,000,000 square feet).

IKO/Blair Building Materials Inc. breathes new life into former Radio Shack building on Tandy Drive

IKO, aka Blair Building Materials Inc. , headquartered in Canada was recently issued a permit by Washington County officials for work totaling more than $9.2 million to help breathe new life into the former Radio Shack distribution center at 100 Tandy Drive, Hagerstown, Washington County, MD. Overall expected capital investment is nearly $70 million, including demolition of an exterior wall and construction of nearly 86,000 square feet of additional space for manufacturing, storage and distribution of commercial roofing materials. After construction and build-out has been completed, the current building at just over 336,000 square feet, will be approximately 500,000 square feet. This project will create approximately 40 new jobs for local residents. More information about Blair Building Materials Inc. can be gathered on its website at https://blairbuildingmaterials.com .

Utility Keystone Trailer Sales Inc. planning to create new jobs in Hagerstown, Washington County, MD

Utility Keystone Trailer Sales Inc., a Manheim, PA company with more than 40 years in the industry, plans to construct a new tractor-trailer sales and repair facility at 14735 Citicorp Drive, Hagerstown, Washington County, MD. The project is expected to have capital investment estimated between $5,000,000 and $6,000,000, including land and improvements. Initially 30 to 35 full-time jobs are anticipated, with expansion opportunities. Construction is slated to begin June 2020 and be completed by March 2021.

Red Hill Tactical moves into storefront

In a recent press release, Red Hill Tactical announced it graduated from an in-home basement manufacturing and shipping operation to a storefront located at 13316 Marsh Pike, Hagerstown, Washington County, MD. The company manufactures and distributes more than 150 fully-customized Kydex, a thermoplastic material used for its rigidity, formability, and wear-resistant properties, holsters. According to the press release and the company’s website, owner Robert King started the company in 2013 when he was unsatisfied with availability of holsters for his specialty gun club division and price points. Late 2014 and early 2015, the company realized a huge uptick in sales and requests for more options. By 2018, the company began manufacturing and selling tactical gear. By 2019, Red Hill Tactical became a major player in the SHOT Show as a formidable vendor. The company employs six (6) full-time employees. The Washington County Department of Business Development wishes Red Hill Tactical much success in the future. For more information about Red Hill Tactical , please visit www.redhilltactical.com .

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot awards Krumpe's Do-Nuts with a Cornerstone Award for Local Business Excellence

Congratulations are in order for Krumpe's Do-Nuts! On August 19, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, along with local dignitaries, awarded Max Krumpe, operations manager of Krumpe’s Do-Nuts, a new state business award, the Cornerstone Award for Local Business Excellence. The new award recognizes small and family-owned businesses that celebrate the guiding values of independence, innovation and investment that define Maryland’s local business community. Recipients have adapted to economic challenges, overcome the changing marketplace and evolved to meet customer demands. They have also given back to the community. About Krumpe’s Do-Nuts, the company began in the early 1900s and has continued to evolve and grow. More than 520 dozen donuts are made and sold each day. For more information about the company, please visit www.krumpesdonuts.com .

TopFlight Airpark inking $12 million deal to change ownership

Announced in a recent Herald-Mail news article, Unit #1 in the TopFlight Airpark, aka the former Fairchild Industries facility, has changed hands for $12 million. A contract to purchase has been signed and was recently closed. The property includes a two-story, 119,000+ square foot office building and sits on nearly 2 acres. The sale also includes an interest in the common elements as set forth in the declaration of First Flight Air Park Condominium, Inc. County representatives met with the new owners on August 22 to share what opportunities and partnerships exists in Washington County, MD. Washington County looks forward to the re-development possibilities this property holds for the community.

Business Appreciation Week - October 21-24

Hosted by the Washington County Department of Business Development, Business Appreciation Week is the premier business event of the year and we'd like to recognize your business! Don't miss this opportunity to:

Get free marketing exposure
Learn about resources to grow your business
Network for business connections
Showcase your products or services
Share any concerns or potential issues you may have
Receive two complimentary tickets to the Business Appreciation 'Farm to Table' Breakfast at the Springfield Barn held on Friday, October 25, 2019

We will bring a small team of ambassadors (3-4) from the County and local business community for a brief visit to thank you for doing business in Washington County, learn more about what you do, identify concerns or issues and share business resources. Visits will last no more than 30-40 minutes.

Be sure to sign up your business today--we are only visit 60 business in Washington County! We will be in designated areas throughout the County Monday, October 21 - Thursday, October 24. Please click on the button below to complete the form so we can schedule your visit. Please have your response to us no later than October 3, 2019.

The Department of Business Development will send a follow-up email with the exact date and time of your scheduled visit. Contact Carmen Harbaugh at charbaugh@washco-md.net or 240-313-2280 with any questions.

Construction

Washington County Department of Business Development Hosts a Construction Industry Roundtable Event

The Washington County Department of Business Development hosted a meeting for the Construction Industry. Over thirty business leaders, industry professionals, and government representatives attended the meeting to voice concerns, ask questions, overcome obstacles, and view a key note speaker presentation. These meetings serve as a networking and support opportunity for business owners and leaders to interact with each other. A presentation made by Clear Results ( https://www.clearesult.com ) provided information to the group about energy efficiency programs offered by utility providers. These programs can provide some offsetting funds to projects that increase the energy efficiency of businesses. The group also spent considerable time discussing workforce development concerns with Washington County Public Schools, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), and Heavy Metal Playground all who were in attendance at this session. The next Construction Roundtable will be held November 7, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Washington County Technical High School . Please contact the Business Development office for more information at 240-313-2280.

Agriculture

Governor Larry Hogan attends the grand opening of Deliteful Dairy

Congratulations to Deliteful Dairy on their new retail dairy store. Governor Larry Hogan was in attendance to cut the ribbon for the new location at 16230 Long Delite Lane, Williamsport, MD 21795. Deliteful Dairy offers farm-made products such as milk, eggs, cheese, butter, and grass-fed beef. This 160-acre long-standing Washington County farm dates back to 1831 and is currently being operated by the family’s seventh generation in Williamsport, MD just north of Downsville. The Longs are bringing back the old school non-homogenized milk from years ago, which is slow vat pasteurized for minimal flavor distortion. Deliteful Dairy makes rich whole milk cheeses and amazing butter. All products are made from our milk from our cows and animals that graze this property. The Long Family of Deliteful Dairy are truly doing things the “new old-fashioned way!’

Farm of the Year - Apply Today!

HEMP Update

Hemp is a crop that is returning to Washington County. Hemp can be used for fiber, oil, seed, and in many construction applications. Please join Leslie Hart on November 5, 2019 at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center to learn about processing and manufacturing HEMP. The event includes lunch, begins at 12:00 p.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. Experts from MD, PA and VA will be on hand to discuss growing methods, varieties of Hemp and selling hemp in the marketplace. Please contact Leslie Hart at 240-313-2284 for additional information.

Agronomy Day - December 5, 2019

The Annual Agronomy Day will be held on December 5, 2019 at the Fairplay Fire Company from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This annual event provides farmers and agricultural producers information and new strategies from the University of Maryland Extension Washington County Senior Agent, Jeff Semler. Additionally, grant and finance options will be discussed. Representatives from financial industry sectors will be on hand to work directly with agricultural producers. Mark your calendar for Agronomy Day.

Former Vishay Angstrohm Building

18400 Precision Place

Hagerstown, MD 21740

-41,000 square feet of AS IS space

-Zoned Highway Interchange (HI) with Airport Overlay

Great visibility from I-81 just off Exit 9 in Washington County. Price was just reduced to $2.00 a square foot. Site plan approval for two (2) commercial flex building, and pad site available nearby.

For more information, please contact: Robin Feree or Justin Anderson

Bowman Development Corporation

301-582-1555