According to Frank Narr, the former executive director of Sailwind Park, Inc., and someone who has been directly involved in a twenty-five-year effort to transform Cambridge’s waterfront into a world-class community asset, the fate of the long-delayed transformation changed dramatically in 2018.

That was the year when UM Shore Regional Health, the largest landowner on the waterfront, made the somewhat radical decision to move out of its historic base at Dorchester General Hospital and move its health services along Route 50. According to Narr, that future transition was a game-changer for the project and Cambridge since it will allow site control of the 35 acres without the constraints of planning around an active hospital, including  the need for FAA-approved flight paths for medical helicopters.

For Narr and dozens of other stakeholders, that decision opened up a world of possibilities that were impossible to imagine when the project was first envisioned twenty-five years ago. And for Frank, the former Arthur Andersen senior executive who had moved to Cambridge in the early 1990s with his wife, a local physician, it could not have come a day too soon.

While these stakeholders, named the Committee of 100, had experienced remarkable success during this time with the successful launch of the skipjack Nathan, the Choptank Lighthouse, and eventually the major investment of a Hyatt Resort Hotel, the holy grail then, as it is now, was huge opportunity to use smart development of the underdeveloped and sometimes blighted along the town’s historic waterfront.

In the first of a two-part series to help prepare the greater Cambridge community for a year of intense conversations about the use of the land and its impact on the city, the Spy asks Frank to provide an overview of the unique twists and turns related to the waterfront project.
This video is approximately minutes in length. The Spy’s partner, WHCP Community Radio, will hosting a community Conversation about the Waterfront Project this Wednesday (February 10th) on air at at 101.5 FM, on Facebook here or YouTube here.

Mike Thielke, Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC) Executive Director, today announced the members of the Advisory Board that will work with the newly-established

Chesapeake Agriculture Innovation Center (CAIC), a new program of ESEC’s F3 Tech initiative.

“We are proud that CAIC has attracted the attention and interest of such a distinguished and accomplished group of people involved in Maryland and Delaware’s agricultural industry,” Thielke said. “I look forward to working with them to accomplish CAIC’s long-term goal of creating a ‘national hub’ for developing innovation and new technologies in agriculture and aquaculture.”

The new Board members are Nikko Brady, Delaware Department of Agriculture; Charlotte Davis, Maryland Department of Agriculture; Holly Porter, Delmarva Poultry Industry; Andrew Rose, MidAtlantic Farm Credit; Lindsay Thompson, Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board; John Torres, Maryland Farm Bureau; Richard Wilkins, Delaware Farm Bureau; Donald Webster, Maryland Aquaculture Coordinating Council; Roxanne Wolf, Shore Gourmet; and Shelby Watson-Hampton, Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Corporation.

CAIC was established in late 2020 by a two-year, $470,800 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. CAIC will allow the F3 Tech initiative to expand its focus on food technology, one of its three components – the other two focuses are farm (agtech) and fish (aquatech).

Thielke has scheduled an Advisory Board meeting for the first week in February to discuss implementation of CAIC’s programming that will focus on value-added producers – farmers and food businesses that turn commodities into products.

The Board also will plan for CAIC’s activities to establish the services, including mentorship services, that the Center will provide for its constituency.

“We will elevate the level of technical assistance that typically has been available to value-added producers,” Thielke said.

Qlarant CEO Dr. Ron Forsythe, Jr. announced the addition of Mr. Stuart “Stu” Harlow to the management team. Mr. Harlow will assume the position of Chief Financial Officer of the company beginning January 19, 2021. Qlarant is a national leader in quality improvement, program integrity, and technology solutions. Since 1973, Qlarant has been improving the performance of some of the nation’s most important programs.

Stuart “Stu” Harlow

“We are pleased to have Stu join us,” said Dr. Forsythe. “He brings to us a proven track record in strategic planning, plus extensive experience in many aspects of financial operations, communications, and leadership.

Mr. Harlow has extensive experience in both domestic and international operations along with a holistic understanding of business and finance in the information, technology, engineering, and manufacturing sectors. Prior to joining Qlarant, he was the Senior Director of Finance for BAE Systems, Ship Repair Business, reporting to the CFO of BAE Systems Inc. Mr. Harlow worked as part of a team of 60 finance and accounting professionals transitioning from a legacy cost-plus business to a competitive firm fixed-price across four Navy homeport locations. Before that, Mr. Harlow was the Senior Director, Independent Cost Evaluation for BAE and was accountable for identifying key risks to the $10 billion portfolio.  He was also responsible for reviewing new business results across three sectors.

“Stu has served in progressively more responsible financial roles at BAE Systems over the past 16-plus years,” added Dr. Forsythe. “Prior to that he honed his skills with Lockheed Martin for nine years in several different finance positions.”

“I like to think that I have a proven record of accomplishment for seeing the big picture and acting as a catalyst for change.  It’s important to balance the requirements needed to deliver the expected results for the short term, while keeping a sharp focus on the future,” said Harlow.

“I like to think about strategy when developing a business plan,” continues Mr. Harlow “When I think about Qlarant, I think about federal and state sectors and the potential for developing technology products matched with the company’s extensive expertise. Right now there are multiple areas where Qlarant can grow in this space. A strong strategic filter with a tactical game plan for handling growth presents a great opportunity.” Harlow has demonstrated the ability to create business strategies—enabling growth and shareholder returns in a global, multisite business environment. He has been responsible for creating new business strategies in Army, Navy, Marine, Air force, commercial, and international markets.

“I have always worked for organizations with a purpose or mission which helps others,” said Harlow. “I am excited to join the team and work with the various business sectors, senior staff, and contributors to the business. I hope to continue building upon the reputation the company has built over almost 50 years and expand the portfolio to shape the Qlarant of the future.”

Mr. Harlow earned a Masters of Business Administration from New Hampshire College, New Hampshire and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Systems from Radford University, Virginia. He also served as a commissioned officer in the Virginia Army National Guard.

Perhaps one of the best gifts to a community is when an outside news source can bring a new perspective on sometimes controversial issues or trends taking place.

One of those trends taking place in every Spy market on the Mid-Shore is the appearance of “angels” in these small towns with not only a vision to rescue its struggling downtowns but access to capital to implement those plans.

To many residents in these communities, there is a sense of gratitude that their town is worthy of such remarkable investments. On the other hand, as Easton knows well, some challenges come with these engaged, strong-willed stakeholders who don’t hesitate to use their legitimate say on issues impacting a town’s look and culture.

The Washingtonian in its January issue provides a unique take on Easton’s number one fan and benefactor, Paul Prager, and his Talbot County hospitality projects.

Read the full article here.

What better way to support local small businesses than with gift cards?

That’s what Emily and Ryan Groll thought the other day. Rather than giving money or gifts to the Sprout staff for the holidays, they decided that their business, Sprout, would purchase thousands of dollars worth of gift cards from local businesses in the hospitality sector in Talbot County. And those cards would be given away as part of a Sprout staff Zoom auction.

Ryan notes that “a little Jeopardy mixed in and an exciting ‘seek and show’ for additional prizes” is perfect in having fun and supporting the hard-hit community businesses all the same time.

What is your business doing this year to help with COVID support? Let us know, and we’ll share on the Talbot and our Facebook page. Send your story to talbot@spycommunitymedia.org.

Gift cards can be purchased here.

Easton Velocity, a service of Easton Utilities, recently completed the system-wide upgrade to enhance the infrastructure that delivers high-speed internet and cable television. The most notable result of this undertaking is the recent speed increase at no additional cost, which was automatically delivered to all internet customers during a testing period in early December.

“The constantly growing demand for bandwidth, speed and seamless connectivity continues to increase and we are proud the enhanced system will meet the needs of our customers,” stated Ted L. Book, Director of Easton Velocity.

In addition to the technical benefits the upgrade delivers, the extensive fiber optic network enables the option to provide gigabit capacity to any interested customer. More importantly, Easton Velocity has elected to increase internet speeds for all customers at no additional cost.

The upgrades are automatic; however, those wishing to change to a new tier will need to contact Customer Service at 410-822-6110.

“Offering enhanced speeds without changing the pricing structure is a reflection of our commitment to our customers,” added Book. “There is a wide range of needs amongst customers depending on lifestyle, now more than ever with remote working or virtual learning, as well as the number of people/devices in the home.”

The $12 million upgrade provides improved reliability across the entire system along with the ability to offer increased speeds, now including Gigabit. Construction for this project began in September 2018 and stayed on schedule following the initial estimate of a two-year span for completion. “Our crews’ commitment to the success of this project combined with how amicable our customers are, made for an ideal outcome,” said Book.

Easton Velocity, a service of Easton Utilities, is committed to keeping our community connected and current with a variety of service offerings designed to meet the needs of both residential and commercial customers. 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. Please visit www.eastonvelocity.com or call 410-822-6110 to learn more.