Letter to the Editor: Commissioner Howard's Presentation on the BRAC Process

Commissioner Doug Howard gave a detailed presentation Wednesday morning at the regional BRAC Business Initiative (BBI) to a crowd of approximately 350 business professionals. Attendees included representatives from NSA, prime contractors, technology companies, service companies and small businesses.

Commissioners Doug Roush, Richard Rothschild and Robin Frazier networked with attendees in addition to Commissioner Howard, in a well-planned effort to introduce Carroll County to the business community. The presentation focused on the many business reasons for companies to locate in Carroll County including immediately-available business parks and their suitability to BRAC community requirements. The leadership in Carroll County sent a clear message of support and interest to roughly 300 businesses.

While several of the properties described by Commissioner Howard were well-suited for BRAC businesses, of particular interest to the BRAC community was the Warfield Commerce and Cultural Center, located on the Springfield Grounds in Sykesville, and the St. Johns Properties on Liberty Road in Eldersburg.

Both of these properties are in close proximity to Fort Meade's BRAC community and their success will result in shorter commute times for workers and increased retail opportunities for supporting businesses around these properties. BRAC is estimated to generate more than 50,000 government and contractor jobs and as Commissioner Howard noted the ICBN (Inter County Broadband Network) will support substantially higher technology requirements across the state of Maryland and specifically throughout Carroll County.

In addition to the Commissioners, Chief of Staff Steve Powell and staff member Roberta Windham were also networking with attendees. Karen Merkle from Carroll Community College and representatives from Taneytown Economic Development and Carroll County Economic Development were part of the team as was Warfield Properties Brad Reese, and Jonathan Herman of Herman Construction. In all there were approximately 15 people representing Carroll County at this morning’s meeting.

Several companies and government representatives were in contact with the Commissioners immediately following the presentation.

Want to have your opinion read on Patch? Write a letter to the Editor and send it to Valerie.Bonk@patch.com.