St. Mary's County Economic Development

05/27/2026

We celebrate small businesses 24/7/365.

May gives us a special reason to showcase a few of the small businesses in the tourism and hospitality space that have chosen St. Mary's County.

Finishing up strong with a visit to Dixon Family Farm ahead of Lavender Days on June 13 & 14, 2026.

Thank you to Commissioner Mike Alderson Jr. for joining the DED and Maryland Small Business Development Center, Southern Region teams for the proclamation!

Visit St. Mary's MD Sydney Garner Liz Mildenstein

05/26/2026

Save the date!

University of Maryland A. James Clark School of Engineering MATRIX Lab is hosting an Industry Open House.

The event will highlight how industry, academia, and government can collaborate through the MATRIX Lab to accelerate innovation, transition technologies, and strengthen the regional ecosystem supporting Navy and DoD priorities.

Event Highlights:
• Morning Session: “Igniting Innovation”
o Keynote & Fireside Chat: Insights from Navy leadership on defining future priorities, followed by a real-world "idea to impact" success story.
o Panel: Practical guidance on navigating federal SBIR/STTR programs, state funding, and opportunities for industry to collaborate with universities.
• Afternoon Session: “Delivering Capability”
o Keynote & Teaming Panel: High-level acquisition priorities, strategic Prime-Sub-Academic collaboration models, and aligning industry R&D with the University of Maryland research thrusts.
• Live Demonstrations & Networking
o Lab Showcases: Explore specialized testing facilities (Water Tunnel, Anechoic Chamber, Advanced Manufacturing Lab, and Omni-Domain Autonomous Systems Testing Space with motion tracking cameras) and meet faculty and student researchers.

05/21/2026

Today we popped in on Double T Oyster Ranch; continuing the celebration of small businesses in St. Mary's County. We were joined by three generations: Rick Meatyard, Amanda Meatyard, and Ivy Smith.

Thank you for choosing St. Mary's County for six generations!

🦪🦪🦪

Liz Mildenstein Kellie Hinkle Maryland Small Business Development Center, Southern Region Visit St. Mary's MD

05/14/2026

Tourism & Hospitality is a strategic industry for St. Mary's County. The NHRA Potomac Nationals is coming to Maryland International Raceway May 29-31st.

Join us for an exclusive meet and greet with NHRA-qualified drivers at The Barns at New Market. Enjoy face-to-face time with your favorite drivers, snap photos, request autographs, and build excitement leading up to the first car hitting the strip.

The event will also feature live music, Chief's - Your Neighborhood Bar food trailer, and more.

This event is proudly sponsored by Visit St. Mary's MD and the St. Mary's County Economic Development.

https://www.visitstmarysmd.com/events/nhra-driver-meet-and-greet/

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05/12/2026

The current ownership of Dennis Point Marina & Campground acquired the business three years ago and has invested time and dollars into infrastructure upgrades across the entire property.

A huge Small Business Month thank you, for choosing St. Mary's County!

05/05/2026

We are kicking off one of our favorite months! Join us in celebrating small businesses in St. Mary's.

We started with a Commissioner proclamation accepted by our Small Business ED Specialist, Emily Lacey and Dr. Frank Clinton our St. Mary's Business Consultant with the Maryland Small Business Development Center, Southern Region.

Follow along this month as we pop in on three of our tourism and hospitality businesses: Dixon Family Farm, Dennis Point Marina & Campground, & Double T Oyster Ranch 🪻🛥🦪

04/23/2026

We cut the ribbon on the new avid Hotel California! ✂️ 🎀

Liz Mildenstein Visit St. Mary's MD St. Mary's County Chamber of Commerce To***co Barn Distillery St. Mary’s Liquid Assets Maryland Small Business Development Center, Southern Region Maryland Department of Commerce University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland Xella Winery and Vineyard BJ Hall Leadership Southern Maryland

04/15/2026

Join the St. Mary's Young Professionals for a FREE event at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. We will have FREE pizza and FREE beverages generously provided by by our sponsor, NFP Aviation Insurance.

Come out and join young professionals living or working in St. Mary's County for some delicious food, drinks and social networking. You'll be able to explore the entire museum dedicated to naval aviation and nearby NAS PAX, as well as the flightline with over 20 full sized naval aircraft!

🍗 🧀🍷 Food will be provided by nearby Nicollettis Pizza.

Event is FREE. Registration encouraged; walk-ups welcome!

Special thanks to NFP Insurance for sponsoring the beverages and the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum for hosting us.

🪪 Bring your business cards - we’ll be raffling off some goodies!
WHO IS CONSIDERED A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL?

We get this question all the time since these events are about providing networking and social opportunities for young professionals in St. Mary's County. While we won’t exclude anyone from participating in any of our groups or events based on age, generally we consider a “young professional” anyone between the ages of 21 and 40 in any career field who is looking to grow, learn and connect with others in the junior (including interns) or mid-levels of their careers. This is an event specifically geared towards this age group to encourage peer networking

03/24/2026

"The infrastructure upgrades unveiled today are critical to attracting private-sector aviation and technology firms to the adjacent AeroPark Innovation District, which is anchored by the airport and in close proximity to the Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The AeroPark Innovation District—which includes education and research facilities as well as residential and retail space—is emerging as a major center for aerospace sector growth."

Thanks to our partners that round out the ecosystem in support of industry in St. Mary's County.

The Patuxent Partnership University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland A. James Clark School of Engineering Maryland Department of Commerce Maryland Technology Development Corporation - TEDCO Maryland Small Business Development Center, Southern Region St Mary's County Regional Airport -2W6 Bird Dog Bistro

https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/Governor-Moore-Celebrates-Completion-of-St--Mary%e2%80%99s-County-Regional-Airport-Runway-Extension,-Bolstering-State%e2%80%99s-Aerospace-T.aspx

🎀✈️🎀

03/24/2026

Agriculture and Seafood are strategic industries in St. Mary's County. Thank you to the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County for acknowledging the land and water based businesses that represent a thriving agriculture sector in the county.

The ecosystem depends on our partners at University of Maryland Extension, St Marys County Fair St. Mary's Soil Conservation District Maryland Department of Agriculture St. Mary’s County Farm Bureau St. Mary's County Public Schools Maryland Small Business Development Center, Southern Region Maryland Agricultural & Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission Visit St. Mary's MD