St. Mary's County Economic Development

09/17/2026

We celebrated with Green Street Housing, LLC on the final parcel that represents their continued investment in and commitment to providing a diverse residential mix in Lexington Park. The completion of forty new attainable townhomes, street scape, and connectivity of each of the residential communities provides a place to live for teachers, first responders, and public employees.

The cost of housing is a determining factor in employer site‑selection decisions.

When affordable housing is available, employers are better positioned to recruit and retain a broad and inclusive talent pool.

Reliable access to stable housing contributes to improved employee performance and overall productivity.

Affordable housing choices enhance workers’ ability to reach employment centers and participate fully in the labor market.

"It takes a village to build a village." Chase Powell

Thanks to the village that made the Villas at Lexwood possible!

The Richman Group Harkins Builders Architecture by Design Green Street Housing, LLC St. Mary's County Government Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development TM Associates

07/21/2026

In honor of the Maryland Buy Local Challenge, AgriCoast and Xella Winery and Vineyard are co-hosting the St. Mary's County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours tomorrow (July 22).

We are making Wednesday easy for you to meet the Challenge! Enjoy oysters from Loose Stones Oyster Company, and Hicks Family Creations LLC charcuterie with local, meat, honey, fruits, and veges. It goes without saying that the wine will be courtesty of Erin Melanson.

See you at the winery at 5PM tomorrow!

07/08/2026

Calling all St. Mary's County Entreprenuers, Startups, and Small Business Owners,

We are thrilled to invite you to the next FlightPath St. Mary's County event!

Accessing Grants, Loans, and other Financial Resources
Where: TechPort | 44185 Airport Rd, California, MD 20619
When: August 13th
Time: 3:00PM to 5:00PM.

Join us to hear from representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration and local banks Cedar Point Federal Credit Union and Shore United.

Short presentations followed by an opportunity to network with local lenders, federal resources, the Maryland Small Business Development Center, Southern Region and the St. Mary's County Economic Development.

Register to let us know you are coming!
https://share.hsforms.com/2VVBEHvFETR6QzHpWGwWtNw5mrww

06/15/2026

Opportunity Zones 2.0 Stakeholder Input
June 24, 2026
4:30-7:00PM
Leonardtown Library-Meeting Room 1
23630 Hayden Farm Lane, Leonardtown, MD

Agenda
4:30-5:00PM Overview on Opportunity Zones 2.0
5:00-7:00PM Open House-Review maps and provide input on exisitng projects in the pipeline and desired development in the OZ census tracts.

Opportunity zones are bringing capital to low-income census tracts (LICs) designated by governors. Governors are preparing to nominate the next round of tracts that will last through 2037.

What worked in OZ 1.0?
• New and refurbished multifamily rental housing
• Workforce housing
• Mixed-use developments
• Adaptive reuse and historical rehabilitations
• Real estate for commercial purposes
• Urban, semi-urban, and suburban in-fill development
• Large investments by large investors

Please use the mapping tool in the registration form to view eligible census tracts in St. Mary's County.

This is an opportunity to help answer key questions:
• Where does the community wish to channel development?
• Where has the community recently invested in infrastructure or enacted zoning reform?
• What are the priority neighborhoods for economic revitalization?
• What are the core anchor assets in eligible census tracts?
• Which tracts might be primed for housing and which for commercial development?
• Where are brownfield sites? Where is there the greatest potential for in-fill?
• Are there nascent poles of population growth on which you’d like to build?
• Are there opportunities for workforce housing along key transit corridors?
• Where does the county have land that could be contributed to high-impact projects?

For more information on Opportunity Zones 2.0 click the registration link.

Register to attend:

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 🪻🛥🦪