Commerce

Town of Easton Awards $1.5 Million in Grant Funds to Easton Utilities

October 13, 2021 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

During a grant award ceremony this evening, the Town of Easton awarded $1.5 million from their first round of American Rescue Plan Act funds to Easton Utilities for broadband improvement projects in Easton. “We are committed to ensuring the residents of Easton have superior internet service, which continues to prove itself as an essential service” said Town of Easton Mayor Robert C. Willey.

The funds will be used for the second phase of the internet infrastructure upgrade in Easton which will provide the ability for Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) connections. The entire project has an estimated cost of $15 million. The initial construction cost is approximately $5 million and is expected to take about five years, followed by the final connections on each customer property, which will cost $10 million over multiple years. Easton Utilities will await the Town of Easton’s decision for the second round of American Rescue Plan Act funding, which is expected to be delivered by July 2022, to further fund this important broadband system upgrade project for Easton customers. “With this investment, we will continue our commitment to provide fast, reliable internet service and increase the capacity to support next generation technologies,” said Hugh E. Grunden, President and CEO for Easton Utilities.

Mayor Willey presents award to EU

Easton Utilities started planning for gigabit symmetric service for their existing internet customers about five years ago and completed the first phase of the upgrade in October 2020. This project spanned about two years costing approximately $10 million.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was enacted to provide additional relief for individuals and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It included funding for state and local governments as well as education and COVID-19 related testing, vaccination support and research. In the first round of funding, the Town of Easton received $8 million of the total $16 million granted. “We prioritized the speedy disbursement of these funds to help our community thrive following an unsettling and challenging year,” stated Megan M. Cook, Town of Easton Council President.

Easton Utilities is a community-owned, not-for-profit utility and telecommunications company operating the Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, Cable Television, and Internet services for the Town of Easton and portions of the surrounding area. Visit eastonutilities.com for more information.

Downtown Easton Holiday Parade is Returning for the 2021 Holiday Season

October 13, 2021 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The Easton Holiday parade will return in 2021 on Saturday, December 4th, with the Easton Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Thompson Park at 6 pm and the parade beginning at 6:30 pm. The parade loops around downtown Easton and will feature over 60 floats, cars, local bands, fire trucks, and of course, Santa! This is a free, family-friendly event and a great time to start your holiday shopping.

Signups for participating in the 2021 Easton Holiday Parade are now open, and the parade is limited to 65 participating groups. Please visit the Easton Downtown tab on the Easton Economic Development Corporation website. EastonEDC.com

F3 Tech Portfolio Company 5Metis Raises $10 Million

October 9, 2021 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

5Metis, an F3 Tech 2021 Accelerator portfolio company, has just raised $10 million from investors in an oversubscribed Series A Preferred Stock financing round. This marks the largest investment deal in the history of the Accelerator program, supported by the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center, a non-profit, and the U.S. Economic Development Administration. 5Metis is a new pure-play discovery company for crop protection and plant health technologies.

“The companies we have invited to this year’s program are more mature than ever before and represent some of the best investment opportunities and talent our industrial partners desire,” said F3 Tech Program Director Chris Hlubb. “It’s the largest amount any company has raised during our program, and we are excited to work with the management team at 5Metis to begin commercializing their technology through partnerships.”

Founded in 2021, 5Metis uses the technology platforms of two leading agricultural technology companies, Boragen Inc. and AgriMetis, LLC to combine boron-based small molecule discovery and synthetic biology for discovering new modes of action for crop protection. Through the accelerator program, F3 Tech will now work with 5Metis to expedite commercial outreach and partnerships for the company.

Headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, 5Metis is led by agricultural industry veterans Steve Tuttle, Brian Green and Hannah Webb. Tuttle has held senior positions within Dow AgroSciences and the Dow Chemical Company, including serving as its global business director for the insecticides and fungicide portfolios. Green, a co-founder of AgriMetis – one of the parent legacy company of 5Metis – has led research programs at several chemical companies and Johns Hopkins University. Webb, a microbiologist, manages business development at Boragen, the other parent legacy company of 5Metis.

“There’s need in the market to bring new modes of action to the industry for crop protection and plant health,” Tuttle told WRAL TechWire in an exclusive interview. “If successful, the company will yield solutions for growers and farmers that could boost crop protection and crop health.”

About F3 Tech

The F3 Tech Accelerator Program provides funding and support for early-stage companies to prepare them for potential investment from the future F3 Tech Seed Fund, industry partners, and investors. For more information, please visit: https://f3tech.org/.

Easton Utilities Wastewater Facility Certified as a Pollinator Friendly Designation

October 9, 2021 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

In partnership with The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, contractor Evan Miles with Bluestem Farms, and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Chesapeake Bay Field Office, 16 acres of pollinator habitat were installed between and around the 204 solar array panels at the Easton Sustainability Campus. “We are delighted to help create something so resourceful in an already environment friendly location,” stated Doug Abbott, Water & Wastewater Department Manager for Easton Utilities.

The solar pollinator habitat represents an exciting opportunity to efficiently use land around renewable energy by creating habitat for wildlife, birds, and pollinators. Beyond habitat benefits, native species and naturalized species such as clover have a host of other benefits on the local ecosystem which includes improving soil health, better stormwater retention, and reducing on site temperatures underneath panels which can increase the efficiency of energy capture on a hot summer’s day. Additionally, pollinator habitat requires less maintenance than grass and can represent a huge cost savings for utility companies, while also reducing environmental impact.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently established a solar pollinator scorecard which gives qualifying solar sites a pollinator friendly certification, in hopes of establishing more pollinator solar sites around Maryland. This concept has had much success in midwestern states where solar pollinator habitat is more common. The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund is a nonprofit that seeks to implement solar pollinator habitat first in the mid-West and has most recently expanded into the mid-Atlantic. This organization generously donated seed for this project and offered technical advice.

Katherine Stahl and Rich Mason with US Fish and Wildlife Service worked closely with all partners to maintain best practices for implementation while working with Easton Utilities. Easton Utilities looks forward to a continued partnership for many other conservation projects at the sustainability campus, and with other local solar providers to install more pollinator habitat.

Easton Utilities Announces Career Milestones

October 8, 2021 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Easton Utilities recently celebrated significant service anniversaries achieved by seven employees. “We are honored to recognize these individuals for their talent and dedication to our organization and our customers,” said Vicki L. Petro, Director of Human Resources for Easton Utilities.

30 years

Skip Harrison, Supervisor of Meter Techs

20 years

Jim Crowley, Gas, Meter and Safety Department Manager

10 years

Joel Adams, Sr. Computer Operations Specialist II
Tyler Bledsoe, Operator
Tucker Roney, Gas Tech III
David Sanders, Meter Tech I
Alan Whiting, Assistant Operator

Easton Airport Announces October ‘Walk & Talk’ Open House & Airfield Tour

October 6, 2021 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Easton Airport is excited to invite the public to a special fall edition of the Walk & Talk airport open house series. The event will offer the community an on-site tour of the community airport with a trek through designated sections of the airfield on October 14, 21, and 28.

Attendees will pre-register and join airport management for the walking tour. The event will be informative and engaging, offering a behind the scenes look at airport operations and the business side of aviation. Airport management expects the event will help the community gain a new perspective of the airport, learn about its history, and see how it has become the “Aviation Gateway to the Eastern Shore” over the years.

“We had a great response from our spring Walk & Talk series and we are excited to invite the community back out this fall,” Easton Airport Manager Micah Risher said. “Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to observe our operations, see aircraft up-close, and ask lots of great questions.”

Spring 2021 Walk & Talk participants learned about the environmental and safety practices on the community airfield.

The tours will begin at 10 a.m. near the picnic area outside the Easton Airport terminal. The group goes beyond the gates and walks a 1-mile loop to the Easton Air Traffic Control Tower and back. During the walk and conversation, management will make stops to look and take photos at hangars, aircraft, and other equipment that are out. The tour will end back at the terminal where photo-ops with the F-104 Starfighter, donated to Easton Airport by Tom Blair, will be available.

The May 2021 series registered over 100 guests for the opportunity to take the behind-the-scenes tour at the airport. The successful Easton Airport Day, held on September 25, saw the largest crowd ever gathered on the airfield for an event, but folks are still eager to learn more about the airfield and see what flying is all about.

“People love being able to walk the tarmac, learn about the airport, and visit with some of our businesses,” Easton Airport Business & Marketing Coordinator Jeff Lankford said. “The walking tour is the best way to learn and explore a unique economic driver for Talbot County.”

Pre-registration for the October Walk & Talk dates is required so airport management can share important information prior to arriving at the airport. No 4-legged friends are permitted on the tour. Comfortable walking shoes, camera, sunscreen, and weather appropriate clothes are the only other things needed to enjoy a morning on the community airfield. Visit www.eastonairport.com to learn more and register for available dates.

Easton Airport (ESN) is a general aviation airport located two miles north of historic downtown Easton, Maryland in Talbot County. The airport is owned and operated by Talbot County and provides essential access for aviation enthusiasts, corporate pilots, and local businesses. Easton Airport is one of the busiest general aviation facilities in Maryland, linking Talbot County to the rest of the world. For more information, visit www.eastonairport.com or follow the airport on Facebook and Instagram @EastonAirport.

Water Main Flushing Schedule: October 3 – November 5, 2021

October 2, 2021 by Spy Desk

Easton Utilities will begin the water main flushing program on October 3, 2021. The water mains on the south end of town will be flushed to improve water quality by removing sediment that slowly builds up at the bottom of the water mains over time. This will occur Sunday through Thursday nights from 11 pm to 5 am between October 3 through November 5, 2021 affecting the locations outlined below.

Water service should not be disrupted during the flushing process; however, we suggest not washing clothes between 11 pm – 5 am during these operations. Should you notice discolored water, please run until clear prior to use. Customers in areas affected will also receive a robocall to inform them of the upcoming work in their neighborhood.

Thank you for your cooperation. For more information please visit www.eastonutilities.com/annual-flushing-program or call 410-822-6110.

Sunday, October 3 – Friday, October 8: Easton Club East & Industrial Park Rd
Sunday, October 10 – Friday, October 15: Stoney Ridge, Corbin, South Beechwood, & Lakelands
Sunday, October 17 – Friday, October 22: Between Rt 50 and Bypass, South of Idlewild Ave & North of Mallard Ridge
Sunday, October 24 – Friday, October 29: Easton Club, Polly’s Hill Ln, & Area East of Bypass between Earle Ave and Peachblossom Rd
Sunday, October 31 – Friday, November 5: Cooke’s Hope, The Greens, Mallard Ridge, Chatham Village, and Magnolia Meadows

Schedule subject to change

Easton Utilities Recognizes Public Power & Gas Week

October 1, 2021 by Spy Desk

Easton Utilities will recognize Public Power and Gas Week, October 3-9, along with more than 2,700 other community-powered electric and gas utilities. “This year, we focus on the people behind public power and gas who take pride in helping customers receive the most optimal services, at a low cost,” said Jim Crowley, Natural Gas Department Manager for Easton Utilities.

To mark Public Power and Gas Week, Easton Utilities offers a few tips on how to save energy and money in your home, while caring for the environment and the community we live in:

Plug energy leaks with weather stripping and caulking, and be sure your house is properly insulated — you can save up to 20 percent on heating/cooling bills, and make your home more comfortable.
Clean or change filters regularly. A dirty furnace or air conditioning filter will slow airflow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool.
Install a programmable thermostat to save up to 10 percent on cooling and heating costs.
Wash clothes in cold water. Heating the water in a washer uses 90 percent of the energy used to wash clothes. According to Energy Star, by switching to cold water, you can save $30-$40 every year.
Use energy-efficient light bulbs including halogen incandescent, CFLs, and LEDs to reduce energy use by as much as 80 percent.
Turn off all lights, appliances and electronics not in use. Better still, use a power strip and turn off devices and lights that are not in use to cut standby power, to save $100 a year on your electricity bill.
To save energy at home, replace incandescent bulbs with energy saving lights. LED lights use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs while lasting up to 25 times longer
Conserve energy by turning off and unplugging all electrical devices that aren’t in use.

“We know that using energy wisely to lower monthly electric bills is important to Easton’s residents,” said Easton Utilities Electric Department Manager John E. Hines. “While we are sharing these tips during Public Power Week, we hope our community will keep an eye on energy efficiency all year round.”

Easton Utilities is a member of the American Public Power Association and the American Public Gas Association. These associations advocate and advise on various policy, trends, training and operations. They provide benchmarks and standards for all member utilities to use for measurement and accountability.

Talbot County’s 2021 Most Beautiful People Volunteer Award Deadline October 7

September 28, 2021 by Spy Desk

Does someone you know go above and beyond the call of duty in volunteer service to their community? Did this person step up during the COVID-19 pandemic and go to extraordinary lengths to help those affected most by the virus? Is this a selfless, giving individual who’s always there for others, no matter the cost?

If you answered yes, nominate this beautiful person for Talbot County’s Most Beautiful People Volunteer Award.

Talbot County is currently taking nominations for this prestigious award and has extended the deadline to Oct. 7, 2021. Nominees must be Talbot County residents, volunteer their time in Talbot County, and be more than 18 years of age. Previous winners not eligible to win.

“The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how important volunteers are in this community,” says Council President Chuck Callahan. “We’ve seen so many incredible acts of volunteerism the past two years that have really benefitted our communities. The County Council is committed to honoring the unsung heroes who help make Talbot County a better place to live, work, and visit.”

Talbot County’s volunteer awards program is administered in partnership with the Governor’s Office on Service & Volunteerism. All nominees are honored at an awards ceremony, scheduled to be held in November, and are then invited to attend a reception in Annapolis in early 2022.

Nomination forms are available online at talbotcountymd.gov. Printed forms are available at the Talbot County Manager’s Office, the Talbot County Free Library, and the Talbot County Visitors Center.

For more information, visit talbotcountymd.gov or call (410) 770-8010.

Talbot County Launches Second Round of Online Sales and Telework Grant

September 26, 2021 by Spy Desk

Business owners who have expanded online sales or purchased the technology to allow employees to telework during the COVID-19 pandemic may qualify for a state grant through the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

Talbot County received an additional $30,826, which must be distributed by December 1, 2021. Individual award amounts will be determined by the number of qualified applicants who apply.

“Many of our businesses added or expanded their capacity for online sales or shifted their business models to respond to the pandemic,” says Cassandra Vanhooser, director of Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism. “Others have made it possible for employees to work from home.

“We applaud the innovation we’ve seen within our business community and are pleased to administer another program that will assist our small businesses in forging their path forward,” she continues.

Eligibility requirements include the following:

Must have been established prior to March 9, 2020.
Must be registered and in good standing with Maryland SDAT.
Must currently be in operation.
Must have a physical location within Talbot County.
Priority consideration will be given to those who have not received a COVID-19 Business Relief Grant or Loan from the Maryland Department of Commerce, or a grant from the Maryland Department of Labor, for the purchase of equipment to assist in the expansion of opportunities for telework.
Priority also will be given to applicants who do not have more than 20 total employees (including part-time employees), excluding the owner.

Businesses must submit receipts and proof of payment for costs incurred or an estimate for work to be completed with their application. The deadline to apply is Oct. 22, 2021. Applications can be found online at TalbotWorks.org.

For more information about this and other business resources, contact Cassandra M. Vanhooser, Director, Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism, at (410) 770-8000 or via email at cvanhooser@talbotcountymd.gov.

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