Charles County Sheds its Commuter Image Thanks to Increased Retail and Career Growth
Though Charles County’s proximity to Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Va., makes it an ideal location for commuters, local retail and economic growth is giving residents and relocating companies many reasons to stay close to home.
“For years, Charles County defined itself as part of the Washington Metro area, but we’re really right in the center of the Baltimore, Washington and Richmond areas,” says George Robertson, director of economic development for Charles County. “Combined, that’s about 10 million people in the fourth largest area in the United States. Companies that need to serve those three markets look to us for a smart location to do that.”
Attractive opportunities include a 227-acre technology park currently under construction in Indian Head.
“The county has a number of business parks as part of our planned growth and the technology park is great for defense manufacturers,” Robertson says. “We’re looking for ways to get corporate operations and government agencies to relocate here so that fewer of our residents have to commute every day.”
And the benefits employers pass on to employees go far beyond location. “Charles County offers an easier lifestyle than the metro areas, without the congestion and hassle,” Robertson explains. “Our costs are lower. We have low crime rates. Our schools are exceptional. We have a varied housing market where you can live in an upscale townhouse next to retail or a five-acre home in the country – all within 10 minutes of each other. We have the highest number of state and county parks of any place in Maryland. We have a new minor league baseball stadium. We have all of these things, and if you want to be at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., you’re only 30 minutes away.”
Attracting bigger companies would also benefit some of Charles County’s current business owners, like Wayne Magoon, owner of Beacon Printing in Waldorf.
“Beacon would love to see more economic development in terms of being able to print for larger companies,” Magoon says. “We don’t just do business cards, letterhead and envelopes. We’re the guys in the middle. I like to say we’re small enough to know you and large enough to serve you. We’re a mid-size printer for 10,000 to 100,000 runs. Right now, we have to travel a bit to find the larger companies, but to get more business in the area would be a wonderful thing.”
In addition to career and business opportunities, there are also a variety of retail options so residents don’t have to venture far for shopping.
“Charles County is a particularly strong trade area,” says Howard Biel, senior managing director at Faison, a privately held commercial real estate developer. “Our offices are based in North Carolina – with branches in Atlanta, Charlotte and Washington – and we are the most active because our relationships in the Washington market have been the most robust in the country, even in troubled times.”
Faison opened Waldorf Marketplace in 2004, then built Rosewick Crossing in La Plata and La Plata Crossing right across the street. Their fourth development is an industrial park on Acton Lane, east of Washington Avenue.
“Unlike a traditional bedroom community, Charles County is blessed with terrific highway connectivity, great employment bases and significant retail trade popping out over all parts of the community,” Biel says.
