2014 Primary Election Results Available Online
Results from the 2014 Primary Election are now available online. To view election results on your desktop or laptop computer, visit:
www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/PrimaryElection. To view election results on your smartphone or tablet, visit:
Election.CharlesCountyMD.gov.
Maryland polling sites will close today, June 24, 2014, at 8 p.m. Results will be available once precincts have reported their totals. As election results are available, the webpage will be updated with the latest results.
Public Forum Scheduled for July 8
The Charles County Board of Commissioners would like to inform citizens that the next public forum will be held on Tuesday, July 8, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners' Meeting Room at the Charles County Government Building (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata). Sign-in will begin at 5:30 p.m. outside the Commissioner Meeting Room. Public forums are open to the general public.
While offering a public forum is important to the Commissioners, it is also necessary to ensure that the Commissioners are allowed enough time to conduct other County business. Therefore, the following guidelines have been established for public forums:
-- Any person wishing to speak during the public forum segment must sign the sign-in sheet upon entering the room.
-- Individuals are free to speak about any topic affecting Charles County residents.
-- Comments should be concise and to the point and limited to three minutes. The actual time limit will be at the discretion of the Commissioner President based on the agenda for the evening and the time available.
-- Making a presentation using slide projectors or overhead projectors is not appropriate for public forum. Individuals with topics that require more time or who desire to make a more formal presentation than is allowed under these guidelines, contact the Clerk to the County Commissioners at 301-645-0550 for further information related to the Commissioner meeting agendas.
-- Engaging in active debate with the Board of Commissioners or audience members will not be allowed. All comments and questions must be directed to the Board.
-- Public forum is not to be used as a candidates' forum.
-- Remarks must be respectful and courteous, free of name-calling and personal attacks. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated. Comments presented in a dignified manner have more credibility.
-- Comments to the Board of Commissioners do not constitute formal complaints, are not considered requests for records under the Public Records Act, and do not require staff response unless directed to do so by the Board.
The Board of Commissioners appreciates the cooperation of citizens in honoring these guidelines, and looks forward to hearing from the public.
Dates and times for upcoming public forums will available on the Commissioners' published meeting agenda. Commissioner meeting agendas are available online at:
www.CharlesCountyMD.gov.
2014 Early Childhood Day Exhibitor & Sponsor Opportunities Available
The Charles County Early Childhood Advisory Council welcomes local businesses and individuals to participate in the 2014 Early Childhood Day. This event will be held at Capital Clubhouse (3033 Waldorf Marketplace, Waldorf) on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Exhibitors are invited to provide age-appropriate activities for children between birth and five years of age.
All exhibitors will have their names printed on the event program guide. An advertising or exhibitor display is $35 if registered by Monday, July 7. Display spaces after this date cost $50, and you will need to bring your own table.
Sponsorship opportunities are available, ranging from silver to gold levels. Sponsors are recognized in select advertising. Sponsorship registration deadline is Monday, July 7.
Exhibitor and sponsor registration information is available online at
www.CharlesCountyMD.gov.
For more information, contact Ms. D. Mia Gray, chair of the Charles County Early Childhood Advisory Council, at 240-299-9978 or DGrayContracting [at] gmail.com.
State Provides Charles County with $250,000 to Create New Targeted Industries Loan Fund
The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) announced today that the state has approved a $250,000 grant to the Board of Charles County Commissioners. The funding, provided by DBED’s Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF), will be administered by the Charles County Department of Economic Development to create a Targeted Industries Incentive Loan Fund (TIILF). The program will provide loans to small businesses, as well as help attract companies looking to relocate or expand in the county. Additionally, Charles County will provide a matching $250,000 to help start up the loan fund.
“Charles County is pleased to collaborate with Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development in funding this loan program that will allow our economic development team to offer low-interest loans to businesses that employ the growing pool of professionals here in Charles County,” said Charles County Commissioner President Candice Quinn Kelly. “With the State of Maryland’s matching funds, the Charles County Board of Commissioners is able to provide another incentive to support the County’s goal of creating more jobs that pay above-average wages here in the county.”
“The Targeted Industries Incentive Loan Fund is yet another tool in our expanding economic development tool box,” said Kwasi Holman, Director of Charles County Department of Economic Development. “This program supports the attraction, retention and growth of companies for which Charles County’s workforce and infrastructure are ideally suited. Relocating and local firms that represent county-targeted industries and create new jobs paying above-average wages may be eligible to tap into this new resource.”
“The State is pleased to partner with Charles County and support their new loan fund, which offers critical funding to businesses in many of our growing industries,” said DBED Secretary Dominick Murray. “This fund also helps the County to attract new businesses, enhancing their competitive position in the region.”
Charles County’s TIILF will assist research and development, technology, manufacturing, distribution, professional services, defense and federal contracting, biotechnology, information technology, and upscale retail businesses. DBED previously provided a $250,000 loan to Charles County to help start up its Disadvantaged Business Loan Program.
About DBED:
The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing workforce training and financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State's many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit
www.choosemaryland.org.