The Town of Easton announced today that it will begin work on a new commerce/business park at the Mistletoe Hall Farm property located on Goldsborough Neck Road north of town.

The 86.25-acre farm which is comprised of seven parcels offers a prime location to encourage entrepreneurial activity and support business expansion and attraction. The land was set aside many years ago for business and industrial use and has long been part of Easton’s plans for growth.

In addition to funding from the Town of Easton, the project received additional investment funds through a grant from the United States Department of Commerce – Economic Development Administration. The federal agency announced in early October that it had awarded Easton a grant for $2,282,750 to complete the infrastructure improvements necessary for the park’s development.

The funding will allow for the roads, storm water management, and utilities to be constructed resulting in a “pad” space available for short- or long-term lease. The project is expected to take approximately 24 to 36 months to complete.

This undertaking relies on intergovernmental cooperation and public/private sector partnerships. Various parties have been instrumental in collaborating to ensure Mistletoe Hall Commerce-Business Park will facilitate a successful economy.

“This investment will create jobs and help our businesses grow and prosper,” says Easton Mayor Robert Willey. “The Mistletoe Hall project will help ensure that Easton flourishes in coming years, and we are grateful to all who assisted in making this happen.”

In partnership with the Town of Easton, Talbot County applied for and received a $250,000 Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund infrastructure grant through the Rural Maryland Council to begin work on the first phase of improvements to Goldsborough Neck Road to support this project. The road from Glebe Road to the entrance of Mistletoe Hall will be widened and improved to allow for the traffic that will be generated by the property’s development.

Portions of both Goldsborough Neck and Airport roads have been slated for future improvements to accommodate the development of a new regional hospital site off Route 50 near the Talbot County Community Center.

“We are committed to helping our municipalities create vibrant business communities and to providing jobs for Talbot County residents,” says Talbot County Council President Jennifer Williams. “The Council is delighted to partner with the Town of Easton on the Mistletoe Hall project.”

The Mid-Shore Regional Council was instrumental in helping both Easton and Talbot County secure the grant funding for this project. “The Mistletoe Hall project has been listed for many years in the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for this region,” says MSRC Chairman Walter Chase. “This project strengthens the Mid-Shore’s business environment and resources, and we are pleased to have played a role in securing the funding.”

As part of its ongoing efforts to help customers access affordable energy service, Delmarva Power hosted two energy assistance summits for local organizations that work with customers who may struggle with their energy bills. The annual summits are an opportunity for Delmarva Power to share key updates on available assistance and introduce new programs that may be of interest to organizations that work in local communities.

“We are committed to ensuring all our customers have the ability to heat and cool their homes,” said Felecia Greer, director & customer advocate for Pepco Holdings, which includes Delmarva Power. “To help our customers access the many energy assistance resources we provide, it’s important we collaborate with local partners that work with the most vulnerable customers across our service area. It’s one of the best ways to get the right resources and assistance into the hands of those who need it most.”

Non-profit organizations, along with state and governmental agencies that assist residents across Delmarva Power’s service area, attend the summits, which have been held annually in Delaware and Maryland since 2005. The events also include presentations from guest speakers, who offer unique insights on available resources and how to connect residents with available assistance.

“The work that Delmarva Power has done within the community to help its customers stay on top of their energy needs has been remarkable,” said Thomas Vanlandingham, director of the Office of Home Energy Programs for SHORE UP! Inc., a non-profit community action partnership focused on helping people reach economic self-sufficiency. “These summits empower local organizations like ours with the tools and information we need to connect our clients with the right energy assistance and resources that help them manage their energy bills through the winter months.”

Felecia Greer, director & customer advocate for Pepco Holdings

One important resource that is available to those who may have difficulty paying their winter energy bills is the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This federally-funded program offers up to $1,000 in grant support per customer, depending on a household’s income, size, and type of fuel, with no pay back required. Eligibility guidelines change annually, and these summits provide an excellent opportunity to review the newest regulations.

Delmarva Power also offers helpful payment options for customers such as Budget Billing, which averages payments over a 12-month period to help customers manage their monthly energy bills. The company also provides customers with tools and resources to manage energy more efficiently through My Account. My Account contains tools and detailed energy usage information that allow customers to track energy use, compare usage trends, and discover the results of energy-saving practices. Visit delmarva.com/waystosave to learn about these helpful tools and resources.

To find more ways to save money and energy, visit The Source, Delmarva Power’s online news room. Find additional information by visiting delmarva.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/delmarvapower and on Twitter at twitter.com/delmarvaconnect. Delmarva Power’s mobile app is available at www.delmarva.com/mobileapp.

About Delmarva Power: Delmarva Power, a public utility owned by Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), provides safe and reliable energy to more than 520,000 electric delivery customers in Delaware and Maryland and approximately 132,000 natural gas delivery customers in northern Delaware.

Leadership Maryland, the professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its local business and community leaders, reminds potential applicants that all applications for the Class of 2019 must be submitted online at www.LeadershipMD.org by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

Leadership Maryland’s selection committee will choose 52 applicants to complete an eight-month hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues. The Class of 2019 will be announced in early February 2019.

Applications are open to senior-level executives with significant achievements in their careers and/or their communities. Ideal Leadership Maryland applicants will have a desire to learn more about Maryland’s most critical issues and a personal commitment to be a force for positive change in their organizations, their communities, and their state. The chosen class will reflect a cross-section of the state by including diversity of geographic location, profession, age, ethnicity and gender.

To be considered for the Class of 2019, application packages must include:

– Completed application, available online only at www.LeadershipMD.org;
– Paid application fee of $250;
– Two references;
– One letter of recommendation;
– Authorizing official statement from applicant’s supervisor or CEO (unless applicant is self-employed or are their own supervisor);
– Professional color photo

Full information regarding Leadership Maryland’s application instructions, selection process, tuition and financial assistance, 2018 program dates and locations, and attendance policy are available at www.LeadershipMD.org. Anyone with questions may contact Leadership Maryland at 410-841-2101 or Info@LeadershipMD.org.

About Leadership Maryland

Leadership Maryland is a professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its local business and community leaders. Each year, as many as 52 diverse and accomplished executives from Maryland’s public and private sectors are selected to come together as a class for an eight-month hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues. The first Leadership Maryland class graduated in 1993, and the organization’s alumni network now consists of more than 1,100 leaders from all industries and regions of the state. To learn more, please call Leadership Maryland at 410-841-2101 or visit www.LeadershipMD.org.

The Talbot County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Amy Kreiner has been named Vice President for Marketing, Communications and Special Events.

“We’re delighted to bring Amy on board. She has the talent, vision and energy to move our Chamber forward in the areas of communications and marketing. She has the ability to lead our Chamber into the future with while building upon the solid foundation put in place over the years. Our goal is to engage the business community and strengthen the Talbot community as a whole – Amy will help the Chamber do both,” Said Al Silverstein, President and CEO.

“I am honored to join the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce,” said Kreiner.  “The Chamber’s work is vital to the region’s business community and I look forward to working with the board, volunteers, and staff to grow the organization and to promote the interests and actions of local businesses. Reach out to me at 410-822-4653 or akreiner@talbotchamber.org.”

As the former Executive Director of the Caroline County Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Kreiner led several key initiatives including a modernized rebranding effort, redesigning the annual membership directory, and establishing a social media presence.

Kreiner lives in Caroline County with her husband David, a Lieutenant Paramedic with Howard County Fire and Rescue, and their three children.

Delmarva Power is recognizing Fire Prevention Week (October 7-13) by donating 2,900 smoke alarms to local communities through its partners at the Delaware State and Maryland State Fire Marshals’ Offices, along with 200 carbon monoxide detectors to the Wilmington Fire Department. This is the 19^th year Delmarva Power has donated these important life-saving devices.

“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our customers, communities and employees,” said Gary Stockbridge, Delmarva Power region president. “With these donations, we are making an immediate difference in household and building safety for residents in both Delaware and Maryland. It’s great to be a part of a program that strengthens our partnership with local emergency service providers and delivers on our commitment to our communities.”

Since 2000, Delmarva Power has worked with local emergency service providers to donate more than 33,000 smoke alarms to communities across Delaware and Maryland. Delmarva Power maintains a close partnership with local fire departments and other first responders, who work alongside Delmarva Power employees during storms and other emergencies. In addition to the annual smoke alarm donation, the company’s Emergency Services Partnership Program helps coordinate trainings, share best practices, and sponsor other charitable giving and volunteer activities with area emergency response teams throughout the year.

Members of the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Wilmington Fire Department, and Delmarva Power.

“We’re pleased to continue this long-standing partnership with Delmarva Power,” said Grover Ingle, Delaware State Fire Marshal. “These donations make a big impact to the community, strengthening the safety for all residents.”

Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and established in 1925, Fire Prevention Week is an opportunity to bring awareness to the risks of fire and provide educational resources to promote fire safety practices. A few important tips from the NFPA on smoke alarm safety include:

– Install smoke alarms in and outside of every bedroom of your home.
– Test all smoke alarms at least once per month. Press the “test” button to ensure the alarm is working properly.
– Replace all expired smoke alarms.

To learn more about Delmarva Power, visit The Source, Delmarva Power’s online news room. Find additional information by visiting delmarva.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/delmarvapower and on Twitter at twitter.com/delmarvaconnect. Delmarva Power’s mobile app is available at delmarva.com/mobileapp.

About Delmarva Power: Delmarva Power, a public utility owned by Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), provides safe and reliable energy to more than 520,000 electric delivery customers in Delaware and Maryland and approximately 132,000 natural gas delivery customers in northern Delaware.

Photo: (Front row left), Sean Guschke (20 yrs), Wallace Willey (10 yrs), Kim Harris (10 yrs), and Hugh Grunden, President & CEO. (Back row left) Ehren Hawks (10 yrs), Joshua Shortall (10 yrs), and Maria Pack (10 yrs). 

Easton Utilities recently celebrated ten and twenty year service milestones achieved by six staff members.  Sean Guschke, Senior Water and Wastewater Operator celebrated his 20-year anniversary during the past year. Ehren Hawks, Supervisor of Network Operations; Kim Harris, Accounting Assistant; Wallace Willey, Lab Technician/Water and Wastewater Operator; Joshua Shortall, Installer Technician; and Maria Pack, Credit and Collections Specialist, marked 10-year anniversaries with the company.

“It is always a highlight to celebrate the commitment our people have to our organization and our customers,” said Vicki L. Petro, Director of Human Resources for Easton Utilities.